On The Go

We have been on the go the past few weeks.  April 20-22 we were in Charlotte for Dave's state OB/GYN conference.  This weekend get away was Jack's first hotel trip!  Thank goodness the conference was held at the Embassy Suites so our first hotel experience was positive since we had lots of space, a refrigerator, and a microwave in the room.  

On our way to Charlotte we stopped in Chapel Hill for breakfast with childhood friends of Dave's who were down from Connecticut visiting other childhood friends.  We enjoyed a quick visit with The Petroski's and Lloyd's and loved being able to introduce Jack to them.  We picked up breakfast to go and walked to a nearby picnic area so the older kiddos could run around and play.  We will all be together again this summer when we travel up north to NJ...I can't wait for more play time!

We got to Charlotte at 12:30 just in time for Dave's conference to start.  While Jack and I waited to check in the room, we enjoyed lunch (peas and carrots) in the hotel lobby.  Once we were able to get in our room, we set Jack's pack-n-play up in the "living room" area so he could have his own space for sleeping.  This was wonderful because our little guy goes to bed at 7:30 so when he went down I was able to have the bedroom area to myself (until Dave got in) with the lights on without disturbing Jack.

This was the first time we have been away from home since Jack has been eating solid foods.  I am making all of his food (so far!) so packing breakfast, lunch, and dinner for three days was a lot!!  Having the refrigerator and microwave in the hotel room made feeding him so much easier...it also made me request Embassy Suites hotels for all of our future travel with children!

On Saturday, while Dave was busy with conference things Jack and I had a fun lunch date with my college roommate, her husband, and their son, Caleb.  Jack and Caleb had fun playing together and were so well behaved!  It was neat to watch them interact and entertain each other while the grown-ups visited.    

After lunch and a nap, Jack had his first swimming pool experience!  He loves his bath but I wasn't sure how he would react to being in that much water.  He seemed to love it!  We stayed in the pool for about 30 minutes.  He splashed and kicked and enjoyed his float.  We start swimming lessons in May so I can't wait to take him back to the pool at home.  

Our first hotel trip was a success but by Sunday I was ready to be home and back to our own things!  Traveling with a baby is hard work!  

April 27-29 we were in Charlottesville, VA for Dave's five year Medical School reunion.  Dave has been very involved with the reunion weekend because he was class president all four years.  We were so excited for this weekend and the opportunity to spend time with friends and meet all the med school babies that have been born!  

We were planning on staying in a hotel but after our weekend in Charlotte we called our friends, The Vergales', and asked if we could stay with them...home comforts are so nice with a baby!  They were sweet and took us in for the weekend!  

Friday night we went to the welcome reception and then visited with friends at Jeff and Brooke's house.  It was great to catch up with people that we haven't seen since our wedding!  Staying with Jeff and Brooke meant that I could visit with everyone too...if we had been at the hotel, Jack and I would have been tucked in at 7:30...this way, I could tuck him in and still enjoy adult conversation!  

 On Saturday a big group met for lunch at Blue Mountain Brewery.  Unfortunately, the weather was not cooperating and it rained.  If we had had nice weather, it would have been the perfect place to sit outside and have all the kiddos play with the Blue Ridge Mountains as the backdrop.  Even though we were seated inside we had a great time reconnecting with old friends and all the wee ones were great!

Saturday night was the reunion cookout followed by a night out on the town.  Jeff and Brooke lined up a babysitter for the three babies staying at their house so all parents could have an evening off.  We put Jack to bed before we left and had fun at a rooftop bar on The Downtown Mall.  

We were up and at 'em Sunday morning so we could get home and organized for the week.  

May 4-6 we were in Raleigh for a mini college reunion with my college roommates.  Megan and Tom came from DC and we all stayed with Sarah and Jared.  We didn't get to Raleigh until 6:30 Friday night so we quickly got the room ready for Mr. Jack to go to bed.  Once he was down, we ordered pizza and had a fun night of catching up and playing games. 

After a great breakfast spread Saturday morning, the guys headed off for a day of testosterone.  They went to a par three golf course in town, followed by bar-b-que for lunch, and finished up their afternoon at the shooting range.  On the 18th hole of the golf course Tom shot a hole-in-one!  Dave said it was one of the most amazing things he has ever watched!  It sure made for a memorable day!

While the guys were out playing, Sarah, Megan, Jack, and I enjoyed a little window shopping and girl time.  We walked around some of my favorite places in Raleigh and picked up lunch from one of my favorite restaurants.  We made it back to the house for nap time and started a movie while Jack rested.  

At 5:00 I took our little guy to the Sanders' for the evening.  They were so sweet to keep him so we could go out to dinner.  I used to babysit Sara Sanders and now she is babysitting for me...it has come full circle!  

We met another college friend and his wife at Busy Bee Cafe for dinner.  The food was good and the conversation was great.  It was a fun night out on the town!  

Again we were up and at 'em on Sunday morning so that we could make it to our new members class at church by 11:00.  We hated to rush off from such a fun weekend with great friends.  We can't wait to do it again!