ErgoBobby in the ATL

Every now and again I travel for work. Not often, but about 2-3 times a year, I hop on a plane, present some library stuff to some people, learn about some other library stuff, and come home. I love this part of my job, but this year I wasn't so sure how work travel was going to comport with having an infant at home. I'm still nursing, and just as importantly, I would miss Harper terribly if I were gone for more a day or two.

That's when Robert, husband extraordinaire, said, "Well, we'll just go with you, of course." Simple as that. So began the Cummings work trip/family vacation. 

Last week was the annual data librarian conference (yes, there is an entire conference's worth of us), so the whole family traveled to Atlanta so I could attend it. The conference was only two days, but the trip was five to accommodate two travel days and one family fun day as well. Turns out Atlanta is an awesome city to visit for a family. Robert, Aidan, and Harper went to the Georgia Aquarium, the Coca-Cola Museum, and the CNN Studio tour, all of which were in walking distance of our hotel. 

Once my conference was over, I rejoined my family to visit the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, ride the Skyview Atlanta, eat amazing Southern food, and attempt to swim in the hotel pool (turns out it was way too cold for that). This ended up being my favorite work travel of all time because I got to kick butt during the day and enjoy my family at night. Holding a baby on my lap for four different flights was definitely more stressful than quietly reading a book in flight, and I didn't get to partake in all the after-hours conference festivities. I did, however, get to share my off hours with my three favorite people and make some amazing memories while we were at it. 

I also got to watch my husband rise to ever greater heights as he manhandled the infant nap schedule and toured Atlanta with two children in tow (well, one child in tow and one strapped to his chest in what he dubbed the "Ergo-Bobby"). Nothing makes my heart grow three sizes like watching Robert put lawyering aside for a few days to support my career, take care of our kids, and prove once again that he is a partner in every sense of the word. 

Now, some pictures from our trip:

Harper Baby's first on-camera interview

First flight with Harper. Four different legs of travel and nary a tear. 

Robert and the Ergo-Bobby

Robert, Aidan, and Harper on the CNN tour.

Skyview Atlanta

CHEEEEEEEEEEEKS!

Baby beauty in Centennial Olympic Park

The World of Coca-Cola

SuperDad and crew at Starbucks.  More importantly: Photobomb of the Year.  Well done, stranger.  Well done, indeed.

Cuteness overload. 

Too cold for the pool? We make our own water fun. 

Ready for some meat at Twin Smokers

Passing the baton

My husband is a shady character. 

The National Center for Civil and Human Rights

Words to live by

Aidan freaked out when Robert came to our side for a picture because the whole cart thing sort of tipped over. We lived.

View from the top

Harper and Dog-Bear ready for dinner at Mary Mac's Tea Room

Sunset from our hotel room on the 18th floor

Family photo that set us back $22. Suckers.