Lunch, a rock, a wall

Our most recent trip was sparked by an invitation for lunch from a group of "old" army friends, a group of gals, that I spent 10 months with in Kosovo. Some traveling from Boston and the surrounding area, another on her way to Italy, and then myself, the Connecticut native - nothing really centrally located, so I told the ladies - "no worries, we'll travel anywhere!" afterall, it's the truth, we will. So, when we finally decided on Plymouth, Mass for the destination, I was excited, I couldn't remember the last time I was there.

We met for lunch at a lovely place on the water, 14 Union Dockside and Grill. The food was scrumptious! We had seafood bruschetta, crispy fried calamari, steamers and a little bit of everyone elses food too! Since I've become a mom, I've learned to appreciate finger foods, I don't have time for steaks to be cut up, messy sandwiches to be handled by two hands, or anything that doesn't taste good cold! Kingston sat nicely in the double stacker highchair and had some lovely tasting jarred sweet potatoes and bananas. I can tell you they are lovely tasting, because I've tried them, and they are. We occupied the table for about 5 hours - and it was GREAT catching up with everyone. 5 hours couldn't possibly catch up 4 girls who spent 10 months of their life together, and lets not forget our 5th gal, who wasn't with us overseas, but was in our unit, and is now expecting a baby.... lets face it, there's LOTS to tell an expectant mom!

After lunch we went our own ways - most headed home, I wasn't ready to go home yet, considering it took us an hour and 45 minutes to get to Plymouth. So, we got in the car and started sight seeing. We were able to see the Moving Wall. If you haven't heard of it, it's a replica of the Vietnam Veteran Memorial Wall in Washington DC. It was amazing, brought tears to my eyes, each name representing a human life who fought for my freedom, the very freedom that allows me to be the woman I am today. The same freedom I fought for; however, so differently.

After the wall, we were able to visit the Plymouth Rock. Yup, a rock. Not just any rock though, it's where the Pilgrims landed.
We then walked around the parks and were able to enjoy the nice weather. It was a beautiful day spent on the water front. Kingston was very patient and is going to be the sponge of traveling, learning all about the world, one city at a time!

Zoo-be-lee Zoo-be-lee Zoo

Mark and I have always been day trippers. Day trips to Maine, Newport, Boston, etc! No destination under 4 hours is too far! We appreciate all that the quiet corner has to offer here in Connecticut; however, we also enjoy escaping for the day!

Now that we are momma and poppa as Kingston one day will call us, day tripping has changed. I now panic that I'll forget his sunblock and hat, and won't have enough diapers. We recently had a lovely day trip to Roger Williams Zoo, in RI. A location we visited quite often last year as the bean was growing. A place we hope to do many day trips to throughout the summer, fall, and yes, even in the winter. Thanks to the very generous Grammie, who gave us a membership for the Roger Williams Zoo. Oddly enough, Mark and I are not animal lovers, well, in the house anyways. So, frequent trips to the zoo can cure that "oohhh, look a puppy" sensation. We want Kingston to be passionate, and caring about animals, we just don't want them sleeping his in bed.

We visited the wildebeest, monkeys, elephants, geese, bald eagles, and our favorite, giraffes. As Mark pushed the baby up the hill by the giraffes, I was explaining to Kingston that the daddy had come out and he was snugglin on the baby - Kingston was giggling hysterically - it was beautiful. I'm not sure he knew what I was talking about, but one day he will... and he'll remember all the great trips to the zoo with momma and poppa.

Babywearing in Times Square

Travel - the new definition

My last international trip was to France in March of 2008. That trip is very significant, in many ways. I studied international business, ate french cuisine (even pig tongue), giggled with the girls, and packed 10 days worth of stuff into a itty bitty suitcase. Life was somewhat simple.

Things have changed. Life is still simple, but plus one. Since last year, traveling has changed in more than one way. Now I pack for two, sometimes three. Life with a baby is very rewarding, traveling is very rewarding, traveling with a baby can be rewarding if planned properly.

Now I travel with baby, everywhere I go, peanut is in tow. Yes, everywhere, even the ladies room.

Last weekend we had our first family vacation. Momma, Poppa and Peanut enjoyed 5 days together in NY and NJ. I packed WAY too much. The whole Element was filled. I feared being unprepared. I learned. Never going away with him overnight, I wasn't sure exactly what to expect, but we've come to the realization that if we don't have it, we can buy it! A motto Momma and Poppa used frequently pre-peanut.

Our first night, Thursday, in Times Square found us checked into our hotel at 8:20pm and sleeping before 9pm. At dinner, we sat at a table for 2 complete with a highchair. A highchair, a wooden one, where his little legs dangled. I was enjoying my ravioli de' portobella when a little noise started to speak, it was peanut. He was restless. I talked to him, explained to him how wonderful the ravioli was, he wasn't interested in hearing about it, he wanted a taste - three minutes later, my almost six month old peanut was holding a bread stick - an olive garden bread stick, which he knawed on, and I was able to enjoy my ravioli as I once did pre-baby.

Day 2 was complete with lots of excitement, an ambush makeover for momma, poppa and peanut make their debut on national television. Followed up with a trip to Toys 'R Us and a stroller walk around Times Square. That evening we packed up and went to NJ.

Day 3 we found ourselves at the Bergen County Zoological Park in NJ. A beautiful zoo, complete with exotic animals. A trip to the mall followed that evening, where we visited baby stores such as Jack & Janie, Baby Gap, and the Nordstrom kid section and their beautiful fish tank - Poppa loves the fish, Kingston will one day love them too.

Day 4 was fun. We searched frantically for rain gear for peanut and rubber boots for poppa. We had a late lunch at Cheeseburger in Paradise - a Jimmy Buffett restaurant, where peanut grabbed mommas soda and spilt all 16 ounces, minus one sip, all over poppa. And then our exciting night, the whole purpose of our trip, the Bamboozle festival, over 30 bands, in one day. We arrived an hour before No Doubt hit the stage. I was babywearing the earmuff wearing baby. My small backpack held wipes, diaps, food and an extra outfit.

Day 5 we hit Dunkin on the way home, mmmm life with an iced coffee can somehow makeup for a lack of sleep. Peanut slept until the George Washington Bridge, then woke up and proceeded to fuss the whole way home. "wahhh wahhh wahhh, all the way home" just like the lyrics in 5 little piggies. My fix, the ABC's sung by yours truly and a pit stop to change a dirty diap.

Traveling with baby is a whole new world, peanut+travel=an amazing experince. As I travel with Peanut I'll share my journey as a mother.