I’ve got a small pit in the bottom of my stomach. It happens every time I fly now that I have two kids at home.
It’s been a crazy past few weeks. Kindergarten started. Preschool started. We threw a birthday party for my 90 year old grandmother. My FIL came to stay with us for awhile. Oh, and I also have work that has to get done.
Today I am off to Vegas for my 9th ABC Kids Expo.
I love this show. There’s just something about the energy of the attendees, exhibitors and the awesome baby/kid’s products on display. I’ve been on both sides. For six years, I designed a booth, arranged staff flights, hotel rooms, organized set-up and tear-down and sweated my tail off as we arranged product, signage and lighting in 100 degree Vegas heat. The past two years, I’ve gone as media, scouring booth after booth for the latest and greatest products to write about on both this site and BabyCenter.
This year I get to do a little of both. I’ll be spending most of my time with a client, managing their social media accounts from the booth and meeting with bloggers. The rest Ill be roaming the show searching for new carriers and high chairs to share with you. Coleen and baby D are ready to test some new things out and share them with you!
With Miss E being 3 1/2 I’ve reached the stage where most of the products don’t apply to me. That is a super weird feeling. But don’t worry, I’ll be checking out the booster seats and diaper bags (because I just can’t give those up!)
So back to the flying…
I’ll be gone for five whole days and it’s been awhile since I’ve been away from my kids that long. Most trips are a long weekend for a conference and that’s it. Once I get to Vegas I’ll be in the zone and it’ll fly by. But leaving? Leaving is hard. I’m grateful for a dear friend who will watch the kids until my husband gets home from work. Taking a cab will save me the tears that inevitably come when I kiss the kids one last time in their car seats.
It didn’t use to be this way. I used to love flying. But having kids changed all that.
I’m excited for this trip. I’m ready to work.
But I’m going to miss my little love bugs. Today I kissed Miss E’s hand a million times and put it over her heart. I told her all my kisses were stored there just in case she needed a few while I was gone. She said “Mommy, my kisses are always in your heart too!”
Tear.
Oh! Miss E! ::blubber blubber:: Be safe! Can’t wait to hear about all the goodies.
Oh, it does get harder, but it is good to get away once and a while. Looking forward to hearing about all you see and learn especially on the diaper bags. Fill me in! Looking to make a change and I’m overwhelmed with all the new options.
I am so with you. Flying is so much harder than it used to be! I hope you have a fantastic trip and I can’t wait to see all your fab finds!
You are so brave! I have been contemplating attending a creative conference for 2 years but every time I think about going away alone and leaving the kids I chicken out. But your littles need you more than mine do – my aren’t that little anymore at 8 and 11. So, if you can do it, I’m thinking I can buck it and get going too!
Thank you for the inspiration!!!
Belinda
You can DO IT! It’ll be SO good for you. And that’s what Facetime and Skype is for. I’ll be thinking of you.