Baby/ Behind The Butter

Holiday Back East

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We are just getting home from celebrating the holidays with my family on the East Coast! It was quite the trip. We were gone for ten days and split some time between Washington DC, where Adam has an office, and my family’s home in the West Virginia mountains. These Californians were COLD, that’s for sure!

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We had a great time exploring DC with my parents for a day before heading to the mountains. Unfortunately, Grayson came down with his first ear infection, as well as a cold, and it was pretty tough. He was in so much pain laying flat in his travel crib and would only sleep on my chest for moments at a time before screaming again. It was the hardest few days of parenting (in my opinion) so far, and it made me feel extra thankful that he is such a healthy boy overall, despite the cold and ear infection.

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Thankfully, we got in to see a pediatrician and got an antibiotic to take care of the infection before flying home. Poor guy. It broke my heart to see him in so much misery.

After starting antibiotics, however, he seemed to feel better quickly! He was still up all night but at least during the day he seemed happier and generally more well.

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It kills me that he looks more like a little boy than a little baby these days! He wore his reindeer sweater from mini boden practically every day.

My parents live close to the glorious Greenbrier so we spent a good chunk of our time there! I love how Christmasy the hotel is at this time of year. We had so much fun just walking the hotel, shopping in the cute kitchen store, and letting Grayson nap in the stroller. Our “christmas photo” above is taken in one of their spectacular great rooms. Makes me feel like I’m on the set of Downton Abbey or something.

Speaking of Downton, it comes back SO SOON. Are you counting down like I am?!?!

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Reindeer sweater…again.

We drove back to DC the day after Christmas and flew out early back to San Francisco. I’m so thankful that our flight coming home was MUCH easier than our flight going. I was able to nurse him on both ascent and descent to help keep his ears open (I tried doing that on our earlier flight but he was screaming so much in pain from his ear infection that he wouldn’t nurse – it was horrible). We rolled up to our little house at 9am on Saturday morning and pretty much collapsed into bed immediately. It’s taken a few days now but we are all recovering from our colds and Grayson is finally back to his normal sleeping schedule. In my experience, it takes three days to get babies back on their current time zone/schedule/routine…and that was definitely the case with us.

I feel so thankful today for my little family and our good health. This was the last year we are traveling for the holidays, as we want to start making our own family traditions at home. I think that is really important, especially as our family grows (no, I am definitely NOT pregnant).

It was wonderful to spend time with my mom and dad, soak up some good mountain air, and share Grayson with his grandparents! It was a hard trip with sickness and lack of sleep, but a great trip all the same. I am working on his 7 month update – time is going by so quickly now!

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  • Holiday Back East « PushUP24
    December 30, 2014 at 10:39 am

    […] We are just getting home from celebrating the holidays with my family on the East Coast! It was quite the trip. We were gone for ten days and split some time between Washington DC, where Adam has an office, and my family’s home in the West Virginia mountains. These Californians were COLD, that’s for sure! […] http://www.eatliverun.com/holiday-back-east/ […]

  • Lissy
    December 30, 2014 at 10:42 am

    Where do your parents live? I was in Covington, Lewisburg, and Alderson over Christmas. I thought about going to the Greenbrier, but thought against it with a 7, 4, and 18 month old. We are actually in NoVa though. πŸ™‚

    • jenna
      December 30, 2014 at 12:56 pm

      They live in Lewisburg πŸ™‚

  • Sonal
    December 30, 2014 at 11:02 am

    Aww…poor baby. My little one had a lot of ear infections in the winter too. My mom told me to include garlic in his diet. It helps with keeping infections at bay.

  • Kay @ goaloflosing.com
    December 30, 2014 at 11:14 am

    I’m 37 weeks pregnant now and I have enjoyed all of your updates on how your first year has been with Grayson!

    I have been a reader since long before you were pregnant with Grayson, so I agree from an outsider perspective, his first year sure seems like it is flying! (And that’s something coming from a 9 month pregnant lady, haha) Enjoy the New Year with your baby boy!

  • Liz @ I Heart Vegetables
    December 30, 2014 at 11:24 am

    Haha we’re from Virginia but we’re visiting Alex’s family in Minnesota and we’re freezing here! I guess it’s all what you’re used to πŸ˜‰ It looks like you guys are having a wonderful time though!

  • Kelly Mitchem
    December 30, 2014 at 11:52 am

    your parents live not far from where I grew up, the Greenbriar is magical during the holidays!

  • Leslie Means
    December 30, 2014 at 5:06 pm

    That reindeer sweater!! I love it.

  • em@simplypresent
    December 30, 2014 at 6:26 pm

    I’m a Texas girl about to head up to Minnesota and Iowa for the weekend. I’m planning on bundling up like an Eskimo, but will still probably be cold! I’m glad your little one is feeling better and you were able to spend time with your sweet family.

    I can’t wait for Downton! Although, I need to re-watch the last season to jog my memory – I don’t remember where it left off!

  • AshleyL
    December 30, 2014 at 8:03 pm

    I hope you get a nice date night out after that! My babies sick and has been waking up screaming in the night which she has never done before. So hard! I can’t imagine dealing with it away from home. Enjoy your time at home! Looking forward to your next post and downton abbey!!

  • Danielle
    December 30, 2014 at 8:17 pm

    Hi Jenna,

    We did the same thing with holiday traveling once our child got past the infant/baby stage, too. I wanted to start my own holiday traditions with my little family, and in my own home; and the whole traveling and stress of it all just becomes way too much, and not even enjoyable or worth it at the end of the day. I felt exhausted and drained by the time I would get home/end my trip; and it seemed one of us (or all) would undoubtedly get sick or come home sick.

    Starting traditions and making memories in your own home is so important and really special. I couldn’t agree with you more on your decision. I share your same thoughts and sentiments on the subject. And speaking from experience (as my children are older now) as much as I missed seeing everyone or traveling to see family members; I found that my holidays over the years have been so much less chaotic and stressful; and just way more enjoyable and memorable/meaningful. Hands down.

  • Sonya
    December 31, 2014 at 5:29 am

    We’ve got a almost 2 year old whose had several ear infections-they are the worst! Glad the antibiotics helped and made the flight home easier! We usually give our guy probiotics after the antibiotics to help his digestive tract get back to normal.

  • laura
    December 31, 2014 at 6:35 am

    I love your christmas outfit! the skirt looks great πŸ™‚

    Also, do you have any NY’s resolutions or intentions this year?

  • Tanya
    December 31, 2014 at 8:11 am

    We stopped traveling for Christmas after my oldest child’s first Christmas too. While it is hard to miss out on family gatherings, I think it is important to make your own family traditions. We have loved waking up at home on Christmas morning the last three years!

  • Katie sB
    December 31, 2014 at 8:15 am

    I had a cold flying home to the Bay Area from Denver after Christmas. I have never had my ears hurt so bad when we descended. I can’t imagine how your little guy felt. I’m glad he’s feeling better now. You look so beautiful in your Christmas pictures. I love the color of your hair.

  • Katie sB
    December 31, 2014 at 8:18 am

    PS…maybe your parents can come visit you next year so you can still spend Christmas with them?

  • erica
    December 31, 2014 at 8:38 am

    If you don’t mind me asking, what is Grayson wearing under your woven wrap to stay warm? I live in Spokane where it’s in the negatives right now and am always looking for warm layers to bundle up my 6 month old when we go out and I wear him.

    • jenna
      December 31, 2014 at 6:32 pm

      He has on a fleece jacket. The wrap is wool and then I also have a wool cover on top of that – he was very warm and snuggly!

      • erica
        January 3, 2015 at 5:38 am

        He does look very snuggly! Thank you, I have been trying to find a warmer wrap for winter and never thought about looking at wool (I think because I sadly associate wool with scratchy sweaters I got as a child) but I will have to invest in one to beat this cold!

  • Taylor DuVall
    December 31, 2014 at 1:58 pm

    Beautiful! I’m a Vegas girl who spent Thanksgiving in New Hampshire – our warm bodies aren’t used to the freezing weather!!!!!

  • Kelsey @ Snacking Squirrel
    January 1, 2015 at 3:05 pm

    HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! XO

  • Jessica
    January 2, 2015 at 7:45 am

    Such beautiful family photos. Wishing you a wonderful New Year and I am glad to hear Grayson is feeling better!

  • Marcia
    January 2, 2015 at 10:57 am

    OMG that baby is so cute.

    I have to admit, in the last couple of years (since my second child was born), I got off the blogger wagon. I blog less frequently, and simply haven’t had the time with my FT job and two boys to keep up with the same number of blogs that I used to read regularly.

    I followed a link to a recipe here, and I used to be a faithful reader. So I thought “I wonder what Jenna is up to these days?” A baby! (and not a small one). Congrats on the bundle of joy. Parenting is a wonderful and wild ride.

  • Christine
    January 2, 2015 at 11:52 am

    Two more sleeps until Downton!!!!

  • Michelle
    January 3, 2015 at 11:03 am

    Your son is adorable! I live on the east coast of Canada and it’s also been super cold!

  • Laurel
    January 5, 2015 at 12:43 pm

    So sorry to hear Grayson was unwell over the holidays. πŸ™ We had post-holiday illness here that my little one is still trying to recover from. It always seems to strike then, and it is the WORST time.
    I went to college in NoVa…such a beautiful place! Glad you enjoyed the time with your family. I hear ya on the having family time during the holidays, though. All our family lives fairly close but we’re having to lay down better ground rules about keeping our alone time during the holidays sacred. It is nice to start your own traditions! πŸ™‚
    Happy New Year, Jenna!

  • reader
    January 6, 2015 at 12:00 am

    Sounds like a great trip!

    just fyi, article from the NYT about why using teething necklaces may be dangerous:

    http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/10/11/amber-teething-necklaces-pose-choking-hazard/

  • Alex @ True Femme
    January 13, 2015 at 10:23 am

    You have such an adorable family!!

  • andrenna
    January 21, 2015 at 2:54 pm

    Your skin looks awesome in these pics! I request a beauty and skincare post!!