noah benjamin thompson: 2 months old and working on medallion status

Noah successfully earned his wings and is well on his way towards hitting delta platinum medallion status like his daddy. Ben and I were a little unsure of the best way to travel to Wilmington to visit his family, but in the end we decided a few days before the trip to fly because driving 7+ hours each way for a visit lasting less than 48 hours with a newborn seemed crazy, and if nothing else, the airport and airplane would be an adventure (right?!). I am happy to report that it turned into a good adventure and Noah was a model baby (as if we expected anything less). We planned it so the flight there took off at naptime and the flight home was during breakfast. Next time, I'd plan both to be during nap time and wouldn't take the 7am flight home, but that is more because I was up at 3:30am the day we came home while Noah pretty much stuck to his schedule with the exception of his morning nap. He slept both ways (the flight there strapped into his Ergo carrier and the flight home in my arms, both of which worked well).

I may have ~~slightly~~ really over-packed for Noah for the trip. For two nights I brought 35 diapers, 9 outfits, 6 bibs and 10 burp cloths. Next time, I'll bring fewer diapers (or buy them when we get there) and outfits but probably the same number of bibs and burp cloths because Noah is a messy eater and tends to spit up at each meal (this is in part because he is food aggressive and over eats). To fit everything, we brought two carry-on sized suitcases and a big tote in addition to his car seat, car seat base, stroller and diaper bag, and Ben and I only took up about half a suitcase. Doing this alone would've been nearly impossible, so I am glad Ben was with us for our first flight. When we go alone, I think I'll invest in one big suitcase for all our stuff and roll that, the stroller and carry his big tote but no diaper bag. Getting through security on my own will be hard because this time I just carried Noah and Ben dealt with our stuff. Dis and re-assembling the stroller while holding Noah sounds rather hard...but I'll worry about that next time.

The other thing I will not do again is travel when I'm still pumping every 3ish hours as this required me to pump at the airport. Guess where? Yes, the bathroom handicap stall. I obviously would not have been able to do this without Ben to watch and feed Noah, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone because it is stressful and rather disgusting.

Nibby wanted to come before he realized Noah was coming

Excited to be at the airport and happy his outfit has airplanes on it

preparing for take off!

Our time in Wilmington was great too - Noah got to meet his great grandparents and lots of aunts and uncles, and his mommy and daddy were fed great food and had a few minutes alone while Noah was being loved on by the rest of the family. We can't wait to go back and see everyone again. Hopefully it will be this summer so we can take Noah to the beach too.

Great Aunt Nancy

Great Grandma Godwin

Great Grandpa Godwin

Mrs. McManus

Grandma Thompson

Great Grandma Thompson

Grandpa Thompson

Great Aunt Debbie

Great Aunt Kay and Uncle Mickie

In addition to meeting family, Noah got to meet Candice, Susan, Leni, Cam and Annabelle. He was really excited for his first sleepover with Annabelle. Both babies were on best behavior, and I can't wait for them to start playing with each other as they get older. It was really fun spend time with Annabelle and see all the things she is doing and what we have to look forward to. She is coming back this weekend, and Noah has already picked some toys he wants to share with her.

Annabelle was puttin the moves on Noah

Noah also went on another walk with Zara this past week and got to have lunch with his daddy.

The other big event of the past week was his 2 month doctor's appointment. Noah weighed in at 10lb 1oz and measured 23in tall. The doctor said everything looked great and to keep doing what we are doing. I tried not to ask quite as many questions this time but failed miserably. Apparently all the things I've been worried about like these little bumps on his head are completely normal and our baby is perfect (my words but that's what he implied). Noah got to put off his shots a week due to his big trip, so we go back this week for those. Fingers crossed that he doesn't get a fever. The great news is that after the shots he can finally be around older kids! He can't wait to play with his buddies Mads, Henry and Carson.

Highlights of the past week:
- riding on an airplane
- meeting the Thompson and Godwin sides of the family
- meeting Annabelle, Cam, Leni, Susan and Candice
- constantly smiling and babbling
- playing with his new piano play mat
- date with Zara

Here are some more pictures from the past week if you haven't had enough already...