Travel Bug

A couple of weekends ago Marc, Violet and I traveled to Wisconsin for the wedding of our friends Jennifer and Brandon. Marc was able to combine the trip with some work he had in the area so by the end of the trip we had been away from home for almost a week. Marc headed out to Chicago on Tuesday which left Violet and I to travel together on Wednesday. I have to admit staying at home alone for a weekend with a 5 week old was more terrifying then traveling solo with a 4 month old. 

The plan was to drive Violet and myself to the airport. Park the car in the long term parking lot and unload all our things. Get on the shuttle carrying our 50 pound suitcase, car seat, car seat base, one carry-on and wearing the baby in an Ergo. Walk from the shuttle drop off to the Southwest check in counter with all the above items. Check everything but the baby and the carry-on. Board the plane and fly from Manchester to Chicago. Once in Chicago I was to collect all those items, catch a cab to an off-airport car rental office. Rent a car and then pick Marc up in downtown Chicago.

Writing that all out makes it sound like quite the objective. But to be completely honest I really wasn't that worried about it because we had already flown with Violet. I figured the hardest part would simply be carrying everything between the car and airport terminal and again from the airport terminal to the taxi. Good news for me, everything went really smoothly. Even going through security was easy and before I knew it Violet and I were on the plane and she was ready for takeoff - completely asleep.

When we arrived in Chicago it was pretty straightforward and I even got to practice my Spanish with my taxi driver. That might have been the best part of the day. After Violet and I met up with Marc we decided to get on the road out of Chicago. There was a big storm moving towards the area with tornado warnings. We figured it was better to get to Milwaukee as soon as possible.

The drive from Chicago to Milwaukee was uneventful. However when we arrived in Milwaukee it was pouring with rain. Violet was very excited to try out another hotel bed. And I was excited to have room service for the very first time. Dinner at the Hilton Garden Inn Downtown Milwaukee was delicious and we were even able to watch some hockey.

On Thursday Marc had a couple of business meetings in the morning so Violet and I got to hang out and explore Milwaukee. We went for a walk through the Whitefish Bay neighborhood to an empty park on the edge of Lake Michigan. It was an absolutely gorgeous day.

After the fresh air we did a little bit of shopping and then picked Marc up so we could head up to Green Bay. Once in Green Bay we checked into our hotel - The Radisson - and once again Violet stretched out on the hotel bed.

The rest of our trip was filled with wedding festivities. Thursday night I left Marc and Violet to their own devices and celebrated with Jennifer on her bachelorette party. Friday we helped setup the reception area, did some wine tasting, rehearsed for the wedding and enjoyed a lovely rehearsal dinner at Jennifer's parents house. Violet even got to sport the special shoes that Jennifer bedazzled for her.

On Saturday Marc was on daddy duty so that I could be part of the wedding party. I hear that Marc and Violet had breakfast together, went shopping, had lunch and then had to rush a little to get ready and make it on time to the church at 1pm. After the wedding ceremony Marc and Violet joined the wedding party for photos and wine tasting at a local winery. At the winery we realized that not only was Violet getting interested in her feet but she also seemed to be interested in what Marc was drinking. 

After wine tasting we headed to the country club for the reception. Marc did a great job taking care of Violet so that I could spend time with the wedding party. Not once did I wonder what they were up to or worry that he had forgotten to do something. I simply left him with adequate milk in bottles and clean diapers and went on my merry way. We also had multiple volunteers who offered to take care of Violet so that Marc and I could dance. The bride and groom surprised everyone by having dueling pianos at the reception which made the dancing even more fun. There was also a photo booth which I was able to get Violet into. I have yet to see how the photos turned out but Marc and I enjoyed jumping into the booth. 

Sunday was Father's Day. Last year I was able to give Marc a small present from his bun in the oven - a bread warming stone. This year I found a small present for the Daddy-bot from his Baby-bot - a Robot ice cube tray. It's fun to be able to come up with silly little gifts for the guy that does his best to not only take care of and provide for us but to keep us both smiling on a daily basis. Sadly I don't think I captured a picture of the two of them together on his first Father's Day. 

By Sunday night we had dropped off the rental car, eaten our Chipotle dinner, and settled into our hotel near the airport. Violet was completely enamored by her feet and had even found a way to get them into her mouth. 

Monday we packed up and headed home. But this time I had Marc's help to get everything to the airport and from the airport back to our car. Violet was a great traveler, sleeping in Marc's arms for some of the short flight and hanging out in my lap for the rest.

All in all it was a very successful and easy trip with our little lady. Not only was she well behaved around a lot of new people but she was also a great little flier. This time around she was a little chattier on the airplane then a month ago. She also had a small issue with the descent until I could get her sucking on her pacifier. I really hope Violet continues to be a good traveler and grows to love traveling. I have always loved traveling throughout my life and I believe some of my best life lessons have come from traveling. I can't wait to show her more of the world!

Violet - 4 Months

Weight - 15 pounds 14 ounces

Height - 25 inches

Head Circumference - 16 inches

Dear Violet,

A while back I read that babies develop from their head down. First come the tears, smiles and tracking with your eyes. Next you find your hands and realize they can grab things. As you get better at grabbing things you find that your arms can also help you reach for items. While reaching for items you learn how to move your body and eventually you use your hands to find your legs and your feet. At this point you might actually start rolling over. Finally you learn to use your legs for sitting, then crawling, and eventually walking.

This month you have been all about moving your body and arms. There has been a lot of squirming and kicking on your play mat which has lead to you being able to swat at and grasp the toys hanging above you. I remember how amazing it was the day you grabbed the rings that hung from the elephant - one in each hand. You've also started to rotate around in your exersaucer reaching for all the toys around you. You have even started passing toys from one hand to the other. The only downside to your new found control of your hands is that now you can pinch. And pinch your mommy you do!

The other new development this month has been your voice. We started out the month listening to you trying out all the different noises your voice could make. There were a couple attempts at silent laughing and then we got our second and third laugh out of you on May 14th and 24th respectively. By the end of the month you had mastered making noise and even started using your eyebrows to make expressions as you would "talk" to us.

Every month it seems like you are growing up faster and faster. This month you stopped taking naps in the swing in the living room. Now you can nap for anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 1/2 hours in your crib. You are also quite adept at putting yourself to sleep by sucking on your thumb instead of your wubbanub. Speaking of which, you switch back and forth between your right and left thumb. It seems as though you have yet to choose a favorite thumb. But that doesn't mean you have abandoned wubbanub duckie completely. You still enjoy playing with the toy part in your car seat and when we are out and about.

This month was also a big month for visitors. We were finally able to take you down to Connecticut to meet your Great Grandma Peach. She thoroughly enjoyed holding you and seeing all your little tricks. On the same trip we also met your cousin Luke for the first time. Even though you aren't too much older then him, at this age you two are so different. He reminded Mommy of your newborn days when you were so tiny I could hold you all day and you would froggy up and cuddle with me. We also got to pick up Mommy's friend Kate who came to stay with us for a few days. She too was very excited to finally meet you. Lastly, Nana came back to visit for a couple of weeks. You two had lots of fun hanging out together and you even chose her over your Mom a couple of days.

Your Dad and I marvel at how much more interactive you are becoming every week. Your voice definitely helps you tell us what you like and don't like and when we aren't giving you enough attention. You still manage to make us laugh everyday with your looks, the way you interact with the world and the funny positions you put yourself in when you sleep. We can't wait to see what new skills you will have next month!

Love,
Your Mom and Dad

Violet's First Day

A baby who is 4 months old. Zero posts to this blog so far this month. A lot of pictures and videos off of my phone. And who knows how many minutes spent reminiscing.

Here's a little video of Violet's first day. Hard to believe she was this small not too long ago. It's also amazing how much video can capture that photos can't.

Violet's First Day from Christina A on Vimeo.