I’m burying my head in the sand right now. I’m ignoring the fact that in less than 24 hours I will be in Seattle… by myself.
Well, not *really* by myself. I’ll be there with a whole bunch of other Nintendo Ambassadors for the launch of the Nintendo 3DS, but I will be there without my husband, without my toddler, and without my baby.
You know? The one who relies on me for 100% of her nourishment? The one who empties my boobs every few hours? The one who was only born 3 months ago? She is going to be half way across the country from me.
::excuse me while I take a minute to breathe through the anxiety::
When Nintendo invited me to this launch last month, I was over the moon thrilled. At first, I figured I’d bring Leyna with me and ask my sister-in-law, who lives up there, to babysit for me, but just thinking about all that would entail made things seem very complicated. I’d have to either bring pumped milk with me or pump enough when I got there to leave with her while I was out, and, after reviewing my packed itinerary, I realized I’d be out a lot. Then there was the whole stress of bringing her on a plane with me and packing the baby gear.
I briefly contemplated retracting my acceptance to the event, but my husband encouraged me to go. He will watch both the kids, he assured me. They will ALL be fine without me, he promised. “Go, have fun, enjoy the break,” he said.
And so he will. And so I am.
The freezer is full of pumped milk, and I’ll be bringing along my Hygeia Enjoye double electric pump to maintain my supply while I’m gone. I’m trying to decide on a bag that I can carry through Nintendo HQ that’s big enough to fit my pump in without screaming, “LOOK OUT! LACTATING MOTHER COMING THROUGH!”
Picking out my wardrobe is overwhelming, but I get the added perk of not having to plan my outfits around easy access to the boobs. It will be difficult, though, to make myself take pumping breaks. I’m thinking I’ll set timers on my phone to go off every 3 hours during the day to remind myself (or maybe I can get away with every 4-5 if I pump both sides at once?).
I still have no clue what I’m going to do with the milk once it’s pumped. I hate to think of dumping all of that, but I also hate to think of the hassle of bringing it all home. This trip is already stressing me out more than I’d like it to, and I think I’d feel better if I allow myself to un-complicate things a bit and not worry about the logistics of storing and traveling home with a cooler of breastmilk. We’ll see. I may dump the stuff I pump while out, and keep the stuff I pump at the hotel as a compromise.
I’ve been avoiding actually getting ready for this trip all week. I don’t know why. I really am quite excited about it. I’ve never been to Seattle, the launch is going to freaking rock. I’m hoping to see my brother and sister-in-law there, and I can’t wait to see Nintendo HQ and be a part of the fun and tell you all about it when I get back. It’s just… deep down… well, I’m a mom, and I worry, and of course, I feel like nobody in this house can survive without me, which I get is ridiculously egotistical on my part.
I’m sure Scott will be fine. The kids will be fine. Everyone will be happy when I get home. Nothing disastrous will have happened. I must admit, though, the last reaction I want to hear from Scott when I get home was that everything was “easy.” Because, for me, 2.5 days by myself with both the kids leaves me wanting a one way ticket to a tropical island or a treatment center. I sort of hope he experiences just an ounce of that same frazzled feeling. I’m a mean wife like that.
So, here I sit. It’s nap time and I really must start packing, but instead I’m blogging. I should color my hair, but I’ll probably return some emails. I should coordinate all my details and print out itineraries, but I’ll probably work on this yarn wreath I’ve been making. (Note- none of my distractions involve cleaning this house. Procrastination doesn’t work that way for me.) And then, sometime around 10 tonight, I’ll probably be an emotional, ridiculous, bitchy mess getting everything together.
It’s probably best that way. Then everyone will be really happy to see me leave.
I leave you all with a question- What would you wear for such an event when the temps in Seattle are in the 50s and rain is predicted the entire time I’m there? I was thinking some boots over my new Yummie Tummie leggings (wheee!! skinny!!!) and some sort of top with my jean jacket??? But, alas, I am fashion clueless and am open to all suggestions. Also, there will be a night we go out to a fancy dinner. I honestly don’t know what to do with myself.
I guess I need to give some disclosure on this post. Nintendo is sending me to Seattle for the launch of the Nintendo 3DS at no cost to me. I’ll be blogging and tweeting about it as I see fit.
16 comments
How exciting and a little scary, too! A couple things you might want to think about… Although you won’t be nursing you might want to pick something that you can easily pump in and think about if some leaks a little on your dress/outfit while pumping, just have a backup plan. Also, maybe there is a mama in the area that could use some milk? That way you wouldn’t have to throw it out? Good luck!!
Good point. My tops will definitely be workable with pumping, but since I pretty much know I’m not going to be pumping in public, I’ll at least not have to worry about pulling my whole shirt up 🙂 I would be more than happy to give the milk to someone if they wanted it, but I just don’t know how to go about finding someone and coordinating that right now.
You could check the humanmilk share site on fb for that area. They use to be eats on frets.
You can also check the local hospital some take donated milk for the nicu.
I just checked the Seattle weather (I live in the Pacific NW also) and it seems Fri and Sun will be clear. A 40% chance of rain around here (on Saturday) basically means it MIGHT rain on and off. I would bring some nice springy-non-rain clothes just in case it’s clear (which is likely the case for at least one day). It rains here, but it’s not all day long sort of rain so layers are always a good choice, as well as an umbrella just in case.
Enjoy!
Thanks! Can you believe I didn’t even THINK about packing an umbrella?! Goodness.
depending on where you are staying, a lot of hotels will provide umbrellas for your convenience =)
I dunno what you should wear, but HAVE FUN!!!!! Sounds like a great, great, GREAT time!
ahhh i live in Seattle and several of my favorite bloggers are coming for this thing … how do i go about stalking you all?
as far as the outfit, i wear a dress/leggings/boots combo nearly every time i go out (i mean, Go Out go out, not leave the house.) i rarely wear heels on account of the hills, and especially not if it’s raining. i would bring one heavier jacket (like a peacoat) that you can shed once you’re indoors but that will keep your outfit well protected when you are out. anyway! have so much fun! i hope you enjoy Seattle despite all the rain!
Breastmilk is ok at room temp for like 8 hrs, I would just bring the 2 bottles u pump into and a little mini cooler thing with an ice pack and some bags to put the milk in after u pump. U will be able to toss them in the fridge at ur hotel at night and then just pack them in the cooler and carry them on with u on the flight. I use the Medela pump so it looks just like a regular black bag. ANyways, have fun!!!! And leggings and a cute top and maybe scarfs, yes that would be super cute!! Wear something u wouldnt wear around the baby, like dangling earrings too LOL. Again, have fun and I agree about the timers to pump for sure!!!
Having been born and raised in Seattle, the weather will always be “Partly cloudy, partly sunny, chance of rain”.
If you are a coffee fan, you must visit the first ever Starbucks at the Pike Place Market, closest to the water side on a row of shops. Or there’s “Coffee Messiah” on Capitol Hill, just east of downtown by about 9 blocks.
The airport has umbrellas, as do almost every hotel.
As far as clothes, layers are your friend, I own at least 15 cardigans even though I’m now in California.
I agree with others, leggings or tights.
Good luck! You will do great! This sounds like fun 🙂
Your Ju-Ju-Be MightyBe bag is probably big enough for your pump stuff, and still quite stylish, although it doesn’t close at the top.
(They’re no longer my client, but I still love their stuff.)
Just getting it out now. Great minds… 🙂
take it from a WOHM who pumped. your boobs will remind you when it’s time. 🙂 HAVE FUN!!!
[…] I posted this blog the day before I left. I knew women donate breastmilk, but didn’t think I had enough time to […]