Well, Ashleigh and I made it to California. She had no problems with the actual flights, but we did have some issues during our layover in Sacramento. I had taken her out of the Bjorn Carrier to feed her, but it was getting close to boarding time. Here I was with a stuffed-to-the-max backpack, a Medela breast pump, and a crying baby that wouldn’t take the breast, no matter how hungry she was. Check, check, check, I’d tried everything. And everyone was just STARING at me, standing over by the boarding area. I couldn’t take it. I started crying and grabbed everything with what hand or arm I could and made it over to a gate area across the way. I just needed a moment away from the eyes to calm down.

Ashleigh finally stopped wailing and wriggling around, so I sat in a chair, exhausted, no longer crying, hoping she would be fine during the few minutes it would take to board. Just then, I hear “any more for pre-boarding?” from a Southwest Airlines guy by the gate. I thought, screw it, I’ll just let everyone else on, there’s no way I’ll be able to carry Ashleigh in my arms plus all my crap at the same time. Next thing I know, everyone at the gate is pointing at me, and boarding guy is on his way over. I was so embarrassed, but so relieved at the same time.

We made it in, all in one piece, all the bags and all. Little Ashleigh was sucking away, completely oblivious to the whole crazy situation.

After taking care of Ashleigh for four days on my own, I was so ready to hand her over to John for a break. How in the hell single mothers do it, I have no clue. Kudos, to all of them out there.

Before I left, I did manage to get out of the apartment and meet Amy and Sam. I bussed out to Red Robin and we enjoyed a good lunch together. It was a treat to not only get out to actually doing something besides grocery shopping. Also, with following Amy online since right before Sam was born, it was exciting to meet someone I felt like I new so much about. Besides, with her living so close to me, I would’ve kicked myself if I did end up moving to Cali without meeting her first. The coolest thing about all this is how the same doctor delivered our babies. Talk about a small world!

Amy posted a picture of me and Ashleigh, and I’ll have one of her and Sammy as soon as the roll of film is finished (shouldn’t be long now). Sam is such a cutie, and it’s amazing to think Ashleigh will soon be as big as he is, and smiling at different little things. She’s already grown out of her two little preemie outfits we had to buy, and some of the outfits she drowned in before fit her just right.

Ashleigh will be six weeks on Monday. Wow, time sure has flown faster than I ever thought it would. I remember struggling to feed her, and just this evening I whipped my breast out at John’s sister’s without even thinking twice and feeding commenced without a hitch. I remember when Ashleigh just slept…and slept and slept. Now, she’ll stare at people and lights forever, and will roll over from one side to the other. Just a couple days ago, she even started cooing, it was too cute. She’s handling all the relatives like a trooper and just loves chilling with us out in the warm shade. Ashleigh is such a happy baby, I feel so blessed.