Baltimore

2 weeks ago we went to Baltimore for the weekend. It was the first time we ever went anywhere overnight by ourselves in 3 years. It was not easy.

We needed to stay someone very close to the harbor because we needed to be able to walk back to the hotel to tube feed Adam and be able to take naps and have his medical stuff nearby. We stayed at the Hyatt- I would recommend it.

He's also a crazy runner. Like, everywhere he goes, he needs to run there and the Inner harbor has no railing, no wall, no fence. It was a bit dangerous at times and Matt was great at helping us herd Adam away from the water. Adam also would yell, "No, THIS way!" and demand to go in another direction than the one we were heading in. Quite a few tantrums, which results in vomiting. Adam also ended up in time out a few times, too. Overall, I think it was great for him to get out and see new things and experience things. He spent the first 2 years basically living in 2 rooms, so everything we expose him to is a good thing.

Our  trip went like this:
Arrived 7 pm Friday, we checked in, went to eat and let kids run around Harbor area.
Saturday:  Aquarium in am, After lunch Adam went back to hotel  with Phil for tube feed and nap while Matt and I stayed at Aquarium and toured some old ships in Harbor, Met up for dinner at ESPN Zone and Phil and Matt went to a baseball game at night. Adam went to bed.
Sunday: Ft. McHenry, Lunch, Science Center, Dinner at my Aunt and Uncle's house and drive home around 8:30 pm.

Tube feedings are hard to do on the go. The car tends to make Adam vomit. Twice he threw up in his carseat. There is a lot to bring along (pump, syringes, water, food, bag) and people always stare, so we found it was easier to slip away and feed him. Going places also illustrates how great Matthew is with his younger brother. He helps us with Adam and provides an extra set of hands. He's patient with him, too.

We were exhausted when we came back home, but Matthew and Adam really had a great time, so we did, too.