Up, up and away to Hervey Bay

The week after going to Tamworth, James, Daniel and I headed up to Hervey Bay to say farewell to Grandpa. On Sunday morning James drove Jenny and Maddie to the airport to head home, returned back home to then head over to Mum's place. She then drove us to the airport. I was quite nervous about flying with Daniel as it was another new adventure. I asked the girls from Mother's Group on Facebook if they had any handy tips for flying. I just didn't want to be that person with the crying baby who drives everyone crazy! Daniel was great as we checked in. I was carrying him in the ergo. Check in was really quite easy and checking in his capsule and pram was easy too. The problem came when I had to take him out the ergo to go through security. Daniel did not like that one bit. Then he must have realised that he would be hungry as it was feeding time so the tears stated. I could not settle him which made me stress a whole lot more. Fortunately James insisted on taking Daniel for a walk to get a coffee. He popped him in the ergo and when he returned Daniel was asleep (James is amazing!). He stayed that way until we got onto the plane and we took him out the ergo. Straight away I started feeding him to prepare for take off. As Daniel was hungry, he was very happy to feed for take off. Fortunately he was happy with just having one side so I saved the 2nd side for landing. The airhostess gave us the baby belt - but didn't explain how to use it. We looked at it and made it up for putting it one - you would think that they would ask if you had used one before, oh well. We worked it out. Once Daniel had fed he was just happy sitting there on my lap. He made the air hostesses fall in love with him, each commenting on how good he was.

1st plane trip!

Then when the announced to prepare for landing I just placed Daniel on the other side and he happily fed for landing - what a champ! We then waited for everyone else to get off the plane as I was finishing feeding and then we found our car rental place and then went for a long drive up to Hervey Bay. 

When we arrived it was quite late so I gave Daniel a feed and then popped him to sleep. He slept really well in the port-a-cot again. So proud of him.

The next morning we went out to visit Nan to see how she was going and to have her meet Daniel. It was so lovely seeing her and she loved meeting our little man. He was even kind enough to give her and Geoff some smiles.

 
 I wish that Grandpa could have met him. It was hard seeing his chair empty, when every other time he had sat there, but Nan seemed to be doing well and as I said, loved meeting Daniel and having a cuddle with him. I love it how both weeks Daniel has brought joy to places where there is sadness at the loss of someone special to us all. 

On the way back home, James and I were chatting about how it would be nice for Daniel to have some form of mobile to play with as that is what entertains him most of the days and I had brought up some toys but he isn't at the stage of grabbing things. James spoke to his dad about this and the handy man that he is set to work (Daniel is so lucky!) In the meantime, they made a mobile out of the high chair, which worked for Daniel.

 But then Boompa brought in something he just put together, hooks and all to put on the toys. Daniel absolutely loved it! It was perfect for him, and perfect height too. Thanks Boompa!

 This trip was a bonus too because he got to see him Boompa again, as well as spend more time with Nana J (after seeing her in Sydney for a day) and also got to meet all the rest of the family - Uncle Ryan, Nana and all the Pipers. One of the most special parts is that Ruth got to meet Daniel. 

When James and I were over in Scotland, we absolutely loved staying with Ruth, Charlie and Tim and we often wish that we stayed longer with them. We just got along so well and had so much in common. We didn't expect to see Ruth until I messaged her asking how she was going, and she mentioned that Belinda and Jane had flown her out for the funeral. It was so special for Nan to have Ruth there, but I also loved the fact that she got to meet our little man and have lots of cuddles with him. I hope that we can go back over to Scotland when Daniel is a bit older and stay with them again so Charlie and Tim can meet him.

The funeral was hard, but a lovely celebration of Grandpa's life. It was so nice to hear about him and about things he used to do before I met him. As I said before, I would have loved for him to meet Daniel and part of me wishes that the three of us did a trip up the Hervey Bay earlier, but you can't live in what ifs and if onlys. It was very special to have Nan say that Grandpa was looking forward to meeting Daniel at Christmas time. Daniel was very good during the service too. He was a bit unsettled at the very start but with constant rocking he went to sleep, only to wake up during a song but then settle again for the rest of the service. Thanks bubba. He then got to have some lovely cuddles with Uncle Ryan before a nice feed. We then went to Wendy and Geoff's place with all the family to have dinner and hang out. Daniel was so good at having some more cuddles but then going to sleep there. He was so snuggly when James got him up to go back home. So special!

It was lovely for Daniel to be able to hang out with his family again - Aunty Jen, Maddie, Nana J and Boompa. I am looking forward to Christmas time when he will be a lot more active and responsive to everyone.

He loved looking at his monkey feet!

Maddie apparently loved looking at all the animals on Daniel's suit

On Wednesday we popped back into see Nana as Thursday we were to head back home. Daniel was very good again, doing lots of smiles for Ruth and Nana, as well as some giggles for them too. He is just so cute!

Giggling at Daddy - I love his giggle face.

That afternoon we went to Enzo's for coffee with those who were still around. It was so nice to sit together, chat about Grandpa, have Daniel cuddles and just enjoy each other's company. Then Ruth took Maddie down to the water and James and I took Daniel for his first experience at the beach. While we were in the water I kept telling Daniel that he is to be like his Mummy - enjoy the beach - and not like his Daddy who doesn't like the beach. Time will tell who he follows.

I loved this experience and really can't wait for Christmas when we can go to the beach a lot more and he can wear his swimmers and play in the water. To start with, Daniel wasn't too convinced about the water

But then as his feed got used to the temperature, he started to realise it is not that bad

Such pudgy feet enjoyed the water and sand

He then started to really enjoy having his feet move in the water.

Then it was his turn with Daddy. It was ok at the start

But the best part was when Daddy would throw me up in the air. That brought big smiles to Daniel's face and fully melted my heart.

My favourite photo of Daniel and James together. Daniel really loves his daddy!

Maddie had a great time in the water too and was very obedient when Ruth told her to sit down. She became so wet, but absolutely loved it and brought many laughs to us watching her.

 When we headed home we had a very early start to the day and a very long car trip - 5am start to leave by 6:30 so we could have an hour stop on the way to feed and be in time for our flight. Daniel travelled mostly well again, but we were so tired by the time we arrived at Brisbane airport! Daniel now can pull his head up, and was doing so in the capsule, so we have now take out the head support as he was then falling asleep with his head on the support, not inside it.

While it was lovely to see our families over 2 weeks, I am also very happy to be home. It was a very exhausting time, both emotionally and mentally, and I'm very grateful that Daniel travelled so well on both occasions. He really is a delight to have. I am looking forward to Christmas when we are back at Hervey Bay and to Tamworth Christmas next year, but at the moment I am happy to be at home, re-establishing routine and familiarity as well as being able to catch up with my Mother's Group girls on Tuesdays and Thursdays.