Behind The Butter

Family Tour 2014

2014-08-02-Beaughs-2

We’ve been on the go traveling for the past two weeks all around the country. With a three month old. Ambitious? Maybe. Fun? Absolutely. Exhausting? Completely.

The whole idea for the trip started a few months ago when we decided to fly in to Austin for our godson’s first birthday party {see above photo}. Morgan and Stephen are our dearest friends and we really wanted to be there. Morgan flew all the way here for my baby shower in April and they were part of our engagement story! We had also been talking about a possible August trip east to West Virginia where my parents live so my dad could meet Grayson for the first time. May is his busy season at work so he was unable to come with my mom for the actual birth. I can’t believe he didn’t get to meet him for three months — darn distance. Did I mention we miss our families? Cause we do.

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Anyway, the trip became much bigger than we had originally anticipated but we were up for the challenge! We flew into Austin on August 1st, spent the night with Morgan and Stephen and went to Ethan’s birthday party the next day, then we drove five hours to East Texas to visit with Adam’s family for a few days before catching a flight to DC. We spent the night in DC just the three of us then I took the train the next morning to my parent’s house in West Virginia. Adam stayed in DC to work and then met up with us over the weekend. The three of us drove back to DC last Sunday afternoon, stayed at an airport hotel that night and then flew out at 7am back to San Francisco on Monday. To say it was exhausting would be an understatement but we also had so much fun! Naturally, there were some stressful moments coming from traveling with an infant but for the most part everything went smooth. Just don’t ask me to do it again any time soon. I only wish we could have spent more time with our families but we’ll see everyone again this fall.

I adore this photo of my dad meeting my boy for the first time. After such a hard season full of heartbreak five years ago, the Lord has truly blessed our family in redeeming ways.

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Somehow, in that brief few hours Grayson and I spent in DC we managed to go to the Lincoln Memorial because, you know, Grayson wanted to read the Gettysburg Address. Random fact: I was born at GW Hospital in downtown DC! It was fun to take Grayson to both of our “hometowns”.

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Oh, and here we are on one of our three flights. I’ll write another post with my tips for traveling with an infant but let’s just say getting an extra seat to put him in the car seat in is clutch. Airplanes with babies = stress central. Thankfully we all survived and it really wasn’t as bad or scary as I made it out to be in my head. I was soooo nervous for the flights on this trip but they really weren’t that big of a deal.

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The train, on the other hand, proved to be a bit more involved than I had anticipated and my six hour ride turned into an eight hour ride. Not sure I’ll do that again any time soon although it sure was convenient. Let’s just say mama needed a BIG glass of wine after that experience.

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We discovered on this trip just how much Grayson loves being outside. Seriously, just put the kid down in some grass and he’s good to go. What you don’t see in this photo is the fistful of grass he has in his hand. This photo was taken two seconds before he tried to eat it.

And yes, we cloth diapered the whole time…except for during the flights. We used Honest diapers on all airplanes.Β  I went back and forth a lot on whether I wanted to cloth diaper on the trip or just use disposables. I ended up cloth diapering because it’s all we really know {Grayson has been in cloth since he was six days old} and I don’t really trust disposables like I do cloth. The last thing I wanted to deal with was blowouts and wet jammies. One might say it added more work, but I’m already so used to doing the laundry and folding the diapers that it really didn’t seem like extra work to me at all. We traveled with 18 flat birdseye diapers and six econobum covers and that was perfect. Flat diapers wash really well and it was easy to just padfold them and stick them in the diaper cover. No leaks or blowouts on this trip! It was easy to do diaper laundry at my mother in law’s house and my parent’s house. No biggie.

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Overall, it was a wonderful trip and fun to expose Grayson to a new part of the country! In twelve days, we hit up Texas, DC, West Virginia and Virginia. We took three flights, had two five hour road trips and one eight hour train ride. We stayed in two hotels and I did six loads of laundry. I’ve never been so happy to get home in my whole life and four days later, we’re still recovering. As in…I haven’t changed out of yoga clothes all week and Grayson is still a bit jet lagged. I’ve determined that babies really aren’t hard to travel with, it’s the coming home and getting back on normal schedule that’s really challenging.

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  • Laura
    August 14, 2014 at 4:36 pm

    That last photo is priceless! It made me go “awww ” out loud, haha.

    • Laura @ Raise Your Garden
      August 15, 2014 at 7:02 am

      I did the exact same thing! He just had “cuddles” everywhere and little patches of love and you just want to squeeze the little guy! Hmmmm, I just think I’d like another baby right now, they grow way to fast, I know, I know, not what you’re thinking at 3 a.m. when they won’t sleep and are howling =)

      But traveling with a 3-month old is stressful, agreed! Especially on a plane, oh my!

  • Laura
    August 14, 2014 at 4:37 pm

    What did Grayson sleep in while traveling? Did you guys request a crib at the hotel?

    • jenna
      August 14, 2014 at 5:14 pm

      Our families had pack n’ plays for him to sleep in and we requested cribs at the hotels. I brought a crib sheet from home!

  • Lauren C
    August 14, 2014 at 4:50 pm

    The photo of your son and your dad slays me. So, so special.

  • Lisa
    August 14, 2014 at 4:50 pm

    Thinking about your brother and then looking at the photo of your dad holding your son…it made me very emotional, and I don’t even know your family! There was something so touching about the look on both of their faces. I know you never get over the loss of a son (or a brother), but there is something very sweet and fitting about you having birthed a boy, you know?

  • Paige @ Your Trainer Paige
    August 14, 2014 at 5:18 pm

    Looks like you had such a good time. Looove the blanket on the grass picture. Too cute πŸ™‚

  • Polly
    August 14, 2014 at 5:40 pm

    The picture of your dad is a beautiful display of God’s love and redeeming gifts. He is so good, and I know John would be so so happy for you Jenna. Love you sis.

  • Michelle @ A Healthy Mrs
    August 14, 2014 at 5:58 pm

    Sounds like a wonderful trip! Coming home after travelling is the best — there’s nothing like your own bed πŸ™‚

  • Kim King
    August 14, 2014 at 6:10 pm

    Love your glasses? What brand and style are they?

    • jenna
      August 14, 2014 at 6:47 pm

      They are David Kind – I love them!

      • Emily
        August 15, 2014 at 8:14 am

        Are they the Mia?

        • jenna
          August 15, 2014 at 8:24 am

          Yes!

  • Amy
    August 14, 2014 at 6:14 pm

    What an adventure! Your little guy is such a cutie…I just love the last picture!

  • Emily @ Fit as a Mother...
    August 14, 2014 at 6:19 pm

    Wow – ambitious indeed. But I can relate to the need to see family when you live so far away with a new baby!

  • joelle @ on a pink typewriter
    August 14, 2014 at 6:44 pm

    I used to live right by the GW hospital! I didn’t know you were born there!

  • Stephanie A
    August 14, 2014 at 6:55 pm

    TEENY babies are a sinch to travel with. No issue. At 7-18 months? Hell. Don’t count those chickens quite yet, little lady.

  • Jennifer
    August 14, 2014 at 7:37 pm

    Traveling with a baby is definitely stressful! My daughter is 9 months old and we’ve been on 4 trips so far. I always get stressed out and say I’m never doing it again ….but the trip is definitely always worth it πŸ™‚ Going on a cruise next week with her! Looks like you guys had a great time with family and friends!

  • Caroline
    August 14, 2014 at 8:49 pm

    Precious photos. Also, your hair looks amazing!

  • Chelsea
    August 14, 2014 at 8:54 pm

    I think that picture of your dad and your son needs to be framed and put in both of your houses.

  • Abby
    August 14, 2014 at 9:20 pm

    Beautiful family! I am originally from WV . Love that state!

  • Laura
    August 15, 2014 at 1:32 am

    Aaah, haaaa… the first few comments are from ‘L’ ladies, crazy…

    The photo of Grayson and your dad – Absolutely heartfelt and WONDERFUL, your dad looks so blissfully happy!

  • Bri | Bites of Bri
    August 15, 2014 at 4:47 am

    What a whirlwind! Glad it went well. I’m so impressed, Jenna!

  • Christin
    August 15, 2014 at 5:41 am

    This is so precious. Like another commenter, I feel like I know your family because I’ve been reading for so long. That photo of your Dad with Grayson made me misty-eyed.

    Also, you are very brave. I don’t have kids yet so I don’t know just how hard that was, but the fact that you did it gives me hope for when I DO have kids! πŸ™‚

  • Janelle
    August 15, 2014 at 5:57 am

    Oh goodness, that picture of Grayson and your dad melts my heart. Love.

  • kristin
    August 15, 2014 at 6:18 am

    very impressive!

  • Heather
    August 15, 2014 at 6:56 am

    Williamsburg, VA is my hometown & GWU is my alma mater, it’s a good place to be born! Great pictures, too cute!

  • Carla
    August 15, 2014 at 7:05 am

    Grayson is just toooo cute. He’s also got a very peacful/soulful look in his facial expressions, haha.

  • Maryz
    August 15, 2014 at 7:23 am

    OMG! Grayson is so cute! I love seeing all your pictures. The picture of your dad and Grayson is toooo much! LOVE IT!

  • AshleyL
    August 15, 2014 at 7:31 am

    It’s so cute how much he loves nature. πŸ™‚

    How did you breast feed during those long roads trips? My husband and I just drove a couple hours to visit a museum the other day and had to stop and park a couple times to feed our 6 week old.

    • jenna
      August 15, 2014 at 8:24 am

      We would pull over every 3 hours and I would nurse in the backseat. Usually in a church parking lot. It worked!

  • Jaclyn @ Bumpsweat
    August 15, 2014 at 10:31 am

    Aww, that picture with your dad is priceless! I’m happy they finally got to meet. And just so you know, yes, you are quite ambitious (and very brave) to take this sort of trip with such a little one.

  • DessertForTwo
    August 15, 2014 at 10:36 am

    Wow, Grayson is already reading? I’m impressed πŸ™‚

    Welcome home, sweet family πŸ™‚ take your time changing out of those yoga pants. It’s all good πŸ™‚

  • Leslie Means
    August 15, 2014 at 11:57 am

    Great pics! Loved the update. πŸ™‚

  • Via Radiology
    August 15, 2014 at 1:53 pm

    What a fun trip you guys had, I am sure everyone you visited appreciated all your hard work. Great photos!!

  • Alexandria
    August 15, 2014 at 3:31 pm

    We recently flew with our 7 month old for the first time, and I agree that it’s not nearly as bad as I imagined! Such cute pictures, glad you enjoyed time with family. Love catching a glimpse into your mommy life πŸ™‚

  • Keren
    August 15, 2014 at 4:11 pm

    We travelled from Canada back home to Zimbabwe and Botswana via England when my first son was 3 months old! I can now say it’s the easiest age to travel with them πŸ™‚

  • Nicki
    August 15, 2014 at 6:30 pm

    That last picture!! Heart eyes emoji!!! Way to go on surviving/enjoying the trip.

  • Traci
    August 16, 2014 at 2:13 pm

    Such cuteness in these photos!

  • Conni
    August 16, 2014 at 4:40 pm

    If that’s a Saints hat your dad is wearing in that photo, then he just became my new favorite person. WHO DAT?!

  • Jess
    August 17, 2014 at 5:12 am

    I loved traveling with my kids at that age. They would just nurse and sleep in my arms for the entire flights. My husband even flew with our first when she was 5 months old by himself to meet me at a work conference I was at. Id say the hardest age so far is around 10-15 months because they want to be on the move. Travel as much as possible now.

    • megan
      August 17, 2014 at 10:41 am

      Yeah I agree, travel as much as you can before he is mobile. πŸ™‚

  • Colleen
    August 18, 2014 at 8:04 am

    Nice job Mama! But don’t be afraid of disposable diapers – I admire your passion for the environment but it’s OK to let loose on vacation.

  • Jessica
    August 18, 2014 at 8:26 am

    Small world but I totally went to high school with Morgan!

  • Anne
    August 18, 2014 at 2:04 pm

    So this isn’t about this post but saw it today when I was exploring your blog a little more. Also a runner and mama I stumbled on your recipe for gingery red lentils about 6 months ago to make for my then 6 month old. I omit the salt and jalapeΓ±os and it is probably his most favorite food. So thanks! I will start reading your blog all the time now. Cute family! And I’m also with you on the cloth diapers, it’s rare I use a disposable too.

  • Emily @ Life on Food
    August 24, 2014 at 11:31 am

    I am glad you got to see everyone’s family. What a fun trip but yes super exhausting too!

  • jan
    August 31, 2014 at 1:11 pm

    I think you are so right about getting home and readjusting being the hardest part. When traveling, you have so many people to help out and fun things to do…when you get home, there’s no help and nothing to do but unpack and do laundry…glad you had such a fun trip!