Vegas - First trip away

Ben was heading to NBAA (National Business Aviation Association) in Vegas and asked if I wanted to join.  We love Vegas but of course I was torn as I had not been away from Emma overnight.  The "wife" part of me said I needed to go as it would be great for Ben and I to have that time together.  So the planning began....and it truly was an effort to prepare for a only a 3 day trip.  We hired our sweet babysitter Sarah to stay with Cash and Emma so they would be in their own environment while we were gone especially since it was during the week when Cash would be in school.

I typed out this long extensive list of what to do and when to do it...I was literally overwhelmed by all I do in a day just for two kids.  All of which did not include anything I do for Ben, myself or the family as a whole.  So with that in mind I scaled the list back from 3 pages to 2 pages.:)  Ben thought I was crazy for leaving what he called a "novel" but I felt it necessary to make me feel comfortable about leaving.

The most challenging part in all of this was trying to ensure I had enough breast milk for Emma and I did not.  So I had to make the decision to supplement with formula.  Not an easy decision as I stressed and lost sleep over it but it led me to the overall decision to stop nursing.  I learned from my dear friend Megan Brown that making that decision is very personal and a struggle within but its a decision I feel at peace with.  The one thing that solidified that decision was the fact that while I was in Vegas I pumped really with no issue so it showed me that pumping at work was stressful for me and the worry whether or not I am getting enough to feed her the next day at school was just too much. (I also never got enough to feed her the next day for school)

The morning we left I was of course my organized self...sometimes to a fault....but I left feeling that Emma and Cash were in great hands.  I left in tears but none the less they were in good hands.  So good that Ben and I had a great time!!!!!

About the trip......

I absolutely love going to the airport.  I feel like a kid...I love to get snacks for the plane and most of all sit and people watch.  So getting there two hours before my flight is no problem as I am completely entertained.

View from the plane as we approached Nevada.

We arrived in Vegas and the weather was amazing!!!!  Cool but sunny...a nice 75 degrees.

We stayed at Hard Rock which is a small hotel off the strip.  There are pros and cons to that...pro being that it is a small hotel and con that its off the strip.  We stay in their HRH suite tower.  Very nice, modern and quiet.  They have amazing drivers that (if taken care of) will take you wherever and whenever you need them to.  Reliquary Spa at Hard Rock was amazing.  I had two treatments there and enjoyed every second of it.  Hard Rock has some great restaurants...although like most of the Vegas hotels they don't have a buffet.  They have a "diner" which is great and easy to get in and out of.  They have a great Steakhouse which we have eaten at once before but this time we had lunch at a new restaurant there called Culinary Dropout.  I had their fried chicken which was outstanding!

While Ben was at NBAA I got to go to Caesars and walk around BY MYSELF!  Yes I put that in caps as I want to emphasize how great that was.  I did miss my children terribly....and of course wished Ben had gotten to shop with me but it was very nice to just take in some shopping, a glass of wine and some people watching by myself. That evening we went to dinner at Emeril's restaurant at MGM and then headed over to Mandalay Bay for the Michael Jackson 'One' Cirque show...which was phenomenal!

The second day we were there I went to the shops at Pallazo, Venetian and then the Fashion Show mall.  We had dinner with one of the banks Express Jets does business with and we ate at a Bellagio restaurant called Prime.  It was fabulous!  We sat outside and got to enjoy the water show while we dined.

Water show at Bellagio.

After dinner......

The day we left we headed to Caesar's to enjoy their breakfast buffet, Bacchanal, which was out of this world.  There was a station for every kind of food you can think of.  Ben and I joked about staying through lunch.:)  It was terrific....a must when in Vegas.  We relaxed before heading to the airport and I have to say knowing my kiddos were in such good hands I felt so comfortable that I told Ben I could have stayed another day.  Of course he said ok lets do it and of course I chickened out....I missed Cash and Emma so much I was ready to get home and squeeze them. 

When we got back home I squeezed both my kiddos and felt very revived.  Ready to finish out the week and start the next.  We are headed back to Vegas in May for a wedding....staying at Caesar's.   Emma will be 10 months then which is just hard to believe...that time will be here before we know it.

Took this when we got back home.