Casa de Trio: Hawaii

We're back from Avery's first major trip to Maui, Hawaii. We scheduled this vacation a while ago, before we knew Avery would be joining our family. At first we thought about canceling it, but when we mentioned it to various people (pediatrician and hospital nurses included), we always got the same, emphatic response of, "Go!" Everyone kept reassuring us that this would be the easiest time to travel with her. I am happy to report that everyone was right!

The flight out there could not have gone any smoother. Getting through security was a breeze. There were very few people, and since we'd been warned this is the most difficult part of traveling with children, we had thought through exactly how we would manage all the various luggage we'd have with us. Avery was terrific on the flight. She slept for the first half, then woke up and fed and then just sat happily on our laps for the second half. Nain (Megan's mom) bought Avery a flight vest to use in flight and that worked great when Avery wasn't in the sling.

Upon arrival, we had to wait about an hour for luggage to arrive and for Damian to fetch the rental car. Avery was awake this whole time, but was content to sit on my lap and look adorable for passers by. No fewer than four parties from our flight came up to me during this time and commented on what a good baby she was on the flight. I proudly said, "Thank you!" (as if I had anything to do with it - it was all Avery!)

Vic and Mike joined us later that night after their flight landed. Their patience during this trip was amazing. They were so flexible and willing to go with the flow. Most of the vacation consisted of the same things of past vacations: eating, lounging by the pool, Scrabble. Since Avery was with us, we got less lounging and Scrabbling in, however, thanks to the sun tent, we were able to spend a fair amount of time at the pool and the beach.

Avery did so well during all the dinners out. Her fussiest dinner was at the restaurant at the hotel, which was convenient for us. She did amazing at the two fancier places we dined.

In sleeping news, she slept very well while on vacation. We had our first 8-hour-long sleep. It was only one night, but I'll take it! The other nights she only woke up once during the night and then woke up a tad on the early side for some feeding since her stomach was on Portland time.

Our return flight went almost as well as the flight out. Avery decided to set the expectation bar low for the passengers around us by screaming before we took off. Turns out Mommy and Daddy took too long preparing her bottle. However, after that, she was very easy throughout the flight. I did the traditional aisle walk you see all parents doing and walked her to sleep in about 3-5 minutes, after which she slept for the rest of the flight.

Now, what you all really want: pictures!

View from our hotel room - we were able to watch the whales from the balcony and saw several breaches and tail flaps.