Conference time = surprise mini vacation?!

I write from the luxury of a king-sized bed in the largest hotel room I've ever stayed in.

Each year around this time I attend (and usually present something or other at...) a major conference in my field, which can be held anywhere in the country and sometimes internationally. I was beyond delighted when I realized, a year ago, that this year's event would be held in Baltimore, a mere 1.5 hours from our home. Given that I remain William's sole source of nutrition, a further flung destination probably would have nixed my involvement this year. As it is, though, Jesse and the boys have come along...and circumstances couldn't have worked out more perfectly! Somehow it serendipitously ended up — to our suprise and delight — that we're staying in a gigantic king suite and a double queen (yes, two hotel rooms, adjoining). We only had reserved one room, naturally, but a hotel snafu yielded us this delightful outcome upon check-in. The boys are currently asleep, each in their own queen bed in the adjoining room. Unreal. Thank you, Hampton Inn!

Whoa. That's a lot of detail on the room. I guess it's obvious I'm pleased! (Seriously, it was going to be a bit difficult to all stay in one room with William very much needing to go to sleep at 6 p.m.  Having this wonderful amount of space to spread and play with an active 3-year-old has changed the entire feel of things!)

Anyhow, while I've been in conference sessions during the days, my boys have been enjoying a bit of Baltimore. Josiah and Jesse spent a bunch of hours at the aquarium today. I kept Will with me during that time since this is an infancy conference, after all. It's so nice to be in a place where my baby is seen by my professional peers as a completely worthwhile addition to my hip rather than a nuisance. I can tote him around without worry, nurse him in the back of conference rooms, no questions, no raised eyebrows, no problem.

Tomorrow morning Jesse and the boys are heading to a railroad museum (Josiah can't wait!) while I take in a few more sessions, and we'll head home in the afternoon. Oh, and my talk yesterday went well, making the whole thing worth it. Phew!