Brian and I were just saying yesterday morning that we can't believe the trip is actually upon us. It's reminded us of the wedding week (fitting since 5 years ago, this was our wedding week! In fact, we left for our honeymoon in Hawaii on June 6th--here we are 5 years later and leaving for a trip to Australia on the same day!!). Just like with the wedding & honeymoon, we've been doing SO much researching, planning, coordinating, etc. and now it's really happening.
We have been crossing things of our many "to-do" lists in the last few days and there are A LOT of lists (to-do, to-buy, to pack, to pack in carry-on...). Good grief! But, most things are purchased and the suitcases are out, steadily accumulating items. Slowly, but surely, I think we are "getting there".
"Packing" for this though is SO much different than any other trip because we not only have to get ourselves ready for the trip, but get the house, my parents, and most importantly, Andrew ready for us to leave. This is the most difficult part and the part I'm most concerned about. Logically, I know everything will be fine & that all parties involved will have a lot more fun this way, but there is still a piece of me that is really sad about leaving him here and that mommy part of me that can't help but worry. My only solution has been to try to prepare him (and me) for the fact that Mommy & Daddy are taking a trip and Andrew will stay with Grammy & Grampy. To help do this, I decided to make Andrew a book. I thought this would be a good option as he has always (even when he was a little baby) loved to read books and has always liked to look at pictures. So, I put together a little scrapbook for him--one that is truly for him, so he can touch it, handle it, look at it, etc. I wanted to finish it early so that Brian and I could read it to him this week before we leave and then my parents can read it to him whenever he likes. I think it was possibly more cathartic for me than it will be a source of comfort for him, but I figure it can't hurt, right?! And thus far, he seems to really like it, so that's good!
Even with knowing that we are going to miss Andrew bunches and bunches, we are very excited about this opportunity and so looking forward to this trip! We're hoping & praying that everything goes wonderfully--both on the trip and here at home! In a few weeks, I'm sure there will be loads of pictures to post and great, fun things to report! :)
AWESOME book Sara! Andrew will have a blast with your parents, and with all the things we have planned for our trip, you'll be home in what seems like no time at all. We'll have to be sure to pick up a few fun things for Andrew while we're travelling around, and get some good photos of you guys in action so he can see all your adventures!
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