Part 1: Asheville

We arrived at our hotel in Asheville on Wednesday afternoon after a not so terrible car ride with Vivian.  B had to work the registration table which left Vivy and I on our own for a couple of hours.

 

 Since being cooped in the car, we explored the hotel. Little miss needed to stretch her legs and burn some energy off.  Doubletree has a really nice garden terrace which Vivian loved.  She played with the plants and splashed in their water fountain. 

Our hotel room was on the main floor, thankfully.  Better than having to use the elevator hauling all our stuff upstairs. 

Vivian stopped every one that passed by us.  They all had to say hello.  She even stopped men dead in their tracks.  What can I say, she's just adorable.  

B finished up around 5 pm and we moseyed over to TGIF since it was attached to the hotel.  I did not feel like getting back into the car finding somewhere to eat.  Vivian had her some mac n' cheese.  Something kind of heavy to fill her tummy for a good night sleep.

The next morning, Vivian and I went to the Arboretum since B had meetings starting at 8 am that lasted until the early afternoon.  It was beautiful.  We arrived around 8:30 am  and stayed until a little after 10:30 am.  Vivian was a happy camper running loose and exploring.  The weather was perfect and you couldn't ask for a better view.  We love gardens!

Vivian fell asleep in the car on our way back in the hotel.  It was her nap time and little girl was exhausted.  We stayed in the car while she napped for a little over an hour at the hotel parking lot.  I wasn't going to move her from the car to our room.  

Brian was finished around 1pm which meant lunch time.  We drove across the street to Biltmore Village.  The area is really cute.  Great restaurants and shopping. We decided to grab something to eat at Village Wayside Bar & Grille.  It was so good!  I had the chicken gyro, Vivian had the pita pizza and B a burger.  Very good.  

After lunch we went to Biltmore and got our tickets for Antler Hill Village and Winery and to Biltmore House and Gardens.  We went to Antler Hill on Thursday and to the house and gardens on Friday.  So glad we were able to break it up in two days.  The one thing we had to do was wait until 4 pm to go to Antler Hill in order to visit the house the next day.  We got our tickets at 3 pm which meant we waited an hour to go in.  It worked out fine.  Vivian played with the flowers and acorns.

Tea party time!

Petting farm.

After an afternoon at Antler Village, we made our way back to Biltmore Village for dinner.  We heard good things about The Cantina Fresh Mex  and they were right.  I got the shrimp pineapple tacos, B go the pulled pork tacos and Vivian got the egg and cheese tacos.  Our waiter, Chris, was awesome!  Why you ask.  Well, after Vivian finished her dinner she wanted to walk around and play while we finished eating.  She was having a great time playing at the empty table next to us.  She came back over to me and got into my lap and started coughing.  Then the next thing I know, she went all 'garbage pail kid' on me and started vomiting.  It was horrible!  All I could do was catch it with my hands which didn't do any good.  Both of us were covered in yak!  We were sitting at a middle table next to the booth seating in front of patrons who were enjoying their meal.  B just sat there. I had to get him to go grab some napkins.  Thankfully, Chris got some towels and he cleaned the floor. He wasn't bothered by the incident one bit.  What an awesome guy! We bolted out of there quickly.  I took Vivy to the car and stripped her down to her diaper.  The smell was horrible!  What a great way to end a wonderful day!  The joys of parenting, ha!  

Overall, day one was great.  Stay tuned for day 2! 

 

Traveling With A Toddler: Car Ride and Hotel Sharing

Traveling with a toddler (15 months old for us) now puts a new spin on traveling.  From taking your time getting to your destination,  to staying out as late as you feel.  That all goes out the window!  

I was super stressed prior to our trip to Asheville for my husband's work.  We almost decided not to go with him.  Vivian is not a fan of her car seat and was unsure how sleeping would go.  Go ahead and expect the unexpected.  

Vivian did surprisingly well.  We had a 2 hour and 15 minute car ride to B's parents to drop off our dog, then a 3.5 hour drive to Asheville.  Vivian was a little fussy before getting to my in-laws because she wanted to fall asleep.  I kept her awake so she would sleep on our second leg.  Mind you, she woke up before 5:30am that morning.  We left around 7:30am.  

Keys to a long road trip:  purchase inexpensive toys from The Dollar Tree, consignment shops, the dollar bin at Target, even Home Goods or T.J. Maxx.  

At the Dollar Tree I got Vivian a couple of animal books...she LOVED animals...and stickers.

From Home Goods I found Baby Connects which were a big hit and bath cups that she kept stacking and restacking.  Those were great pass times! Key thing to remember is to introduce the new toys slowly. 

I even brought along some bubbles.  I didn't care if it left residue or not.  Whatever will keep her happy! 

I also brought along some of her favorite toys and books from home.  

Snacks.  Lots and lots of snacks!  She loves Annie's Bunny Grahams and the Plum/Sprout packages.  You want them to be mess free.  

If your making the trip with someone else, sit in the backseat with little one and interact with them.  Be silly, play peek-a-boo, whatever keeps them entertained.

Toddler friendly phone apps.  I discovered Fisher Price Baby Phone that she really liked.  I also downloaded Sprout's App since she likes that network.  Vivian likes tv shows intros and I recorded her favorites on my phone for her to watch just in case I hit a dead zone where the internet won't work while riding.

If they are awake and not napping, stop every 2-3 hours to let them run around and stretch their little legs.  We hung out at a rest area for about 30 minutes to burn off some energy.  

Keys to room sharing with little one:  expect to go to bed when little one goes to bed.  Sorry.  Know way around that...especially if your child goes to bed at 7pm like ours does and you want to keep their same routine.  Yes, we were huddled in the corner, complete darkness, not making a sound.  

I thought I would be able to push her bedtime a little later, like 8pm, but she was exhausted by the end of the day that she had to down her normal time.

We lucked out with our hotel room at the Doubletree by Hilton.  We had a king size bedroom and to our surprise there was a couch as well that we were able to use as a divider between the pack n' play we brought snd our bed.  If that wasn't the case, I had brought a sheet from home and some push pins to hang from the ceiling to use as a divider.

White noise. All 3 of us sleep with a box fan.  Obviously we brought it along.  You want to drown out the noise going on outside your room.

Keep bedtime routine the same as you do at home.  I brought a bath mat for the tub.  I didn't want her to catch athletes foot or something, ha.  I also brought her bubble bath and a few bath toys to keep it like home.  I also brought her bath clothes.  Her soap doesn't lather up as well with a standard bath cloth.

Bring their bedtime loveys they sleep with.  Put them down exactly as you do at home with the lights out and duck and crawl to your spot that you plan to hang out.  I just played on my phone for a bit.  I was exhausted by the time 8pm rolled around which meant I got some much needed sleep.

Vivian did wake up her normal time of 5-6am.  I thought for sure she would have slept longer since I ran her ragged during the day.  However, our last morning she did wake at 5 am but I got her in the bed with us and thankfully she fell back to slept to almost 7am. Praise the lord!!!

Remember, relax and try to go with the flow.  I'm all about her routine and I did my very best to relax.  She was able to nap her normal time since B was in meetings, but I know if that was not the case, I would have had to go with the flow.

Happy travels!!

  

  

        

  

15 Months Old

Sweet angel, I CANNOT believe you are already 15 months old!  Seriously, where did the time go?

You're still a petite little thing.  You still weigh around 18.4 lbs...same as your 12 month check up.  Even 12 month clothes are big on you.  You rocked a pair of Baby Gap leggings that are for 3-6 months old and they fit you perfectly.  You have tiny feet.  Wearing a size 3, but your toes are barely hanging over.  You really need a 3.5, sadly half sizes aren't made for you.  Even though you haven't gained weight, your hair is growing!  We can even put it in a front ponytail :)  Your hair is getting longer in the back, especially on the right side.

You have 8 teeth currently.  Your back bottom are trying to make their appearance.  Your gums are super swollen and one part of a  tooth on your left side has poked out.  Very tiny part of the tooth.

You still don't care for cow's milk, but will have it in your old fashioned oatmeal and smoothies.  You spit it out if you drink it by itself.  You also don't care for apple juice.  You did surprisingly drink 3 organic juice boxes, but now will only take sips then push it away.  You LOVE water!!!

 

You LOVE being outside more than anything.  You will stay outside for hours.  I love watching you explore and pointing things out to me.  

  

Balls and bubbles are your favorite.  Every time you see either, you will point and say, "bah." They make you so happy.

You are a strong little booger.  You try and carry things that are bigger than you.  Sometimes you manage to carry it, other times you look at me like, "Mom, are you going to help me or what?"

You love animals.  You hug and give Bro Bro kisses when he will let you.  We go to the aquarium often because you love seeing all the fish.  Santa Claus may get you a year membership so we can go anytime we feel like it!  Every time you see a dog on tv or out on our walk, you point and say "dah."  You watched parts of '101 Dalmatians' the other day and LOVED it!  I think that will probably be one of your favorite movies when you are a little older.

  

You love copying mommy.  Whether its brushing teeth, picking up pine cones in the yard (we now have a pine cone free yard because every time you spot one, you want me to pick it up), putting pine straw in the trash can to add to the beds or throwing trash away (you've been known to get into the trash and grab something to throw away). Maybe you really like to clean?  That's fantastic is so!

You like order.  If we give you a crayon with the pointy side up, the next one has to be in the same direction.  If not, you will turn it the right way before holding it in your hand.   You do this with q-tips as well.  If one side doesn't have the cotton swab, you will turn it to the correct side.  So smart!

You are about to go on your first vacation that's not going to your grandparents.  We are leaving Wednesday for Asheville for daddies conference.  I'm slightly nervous about the car ride and sharing a hotel room with you.  Mommy and daddy will be sitting outside the room while you are sleeping until we go to bed.  Crossing fingers you'll do well

You are a silly little girl.  You'll spin around in circles for no reason and sing.  Put articles of clothing around your neck.  Squat down and smack your hands on the ground and make the cutest facial expressions and sounds.  I can't help but giggle.

  

You love to hold hands when we are out.  Its the sweetest thing when you reach for my hand to walk. You melt my heart!

You love giving hugs.  I will sit down on the ground with my arms open wide, you will run to me and give the biggest hug you can possibly give.  Be still my heart!!!

You still nap on me, but I am completely fine with the cuddles.  These moments won't last forever.

I thank the good Lord every single day for blessing us with you.  You are so amazing and I just love watching you every second of the day. You are so incredibly loved my sweet angel!  Thank you for being you!