One More Time…
We must have a masochistic vein in us: barely two weeks after coming back from Italy, we boarded back on a plane to trek across country to Virginia. And this time we upped the ante: we took a red eye on Thursday night, and we got back late Sunday. So, did we finally loose it? No, no, don’t worry, we are still of sound mind, as least as much as we have been. However, Matt’s best friend Carter decided to get married, and we figured we should have shwon up to make sure this miraculous event really happened. Jokes aside, it was great to participate to the happy day.
We left on October 16 at 10pm. We chose a red eye flight not to waste the whole day flying, and to hopefully having Keegan sleep though the flight, being his bed time. Getting everything ready was a nightmare, as Matt had to work in the afternoon, so he only had a couple of hours to get everything ready. Tempers were flaring a little but we got everything done. It is amazing how much crap you need to bring when traveling with a baby. For an extended weekend we had: a large checked bag, two carry-ons, a overstuffed diaper bag, the car seat, the stroller and a bag with water. Oh, yeah, and the baby. Once again going through security was so much fun, especially because I had to take Keegan out of his car seat while he was fast asleep. I am still waiting to hear what incredible threat was stopped by having this procedure…
Anyway, the trip went well. We could not bring the car seat on board, but he slept on us the whole time. And we even got an hour or two of sleep. Direct flight, this time, so all we had to do, once landed was getting a car, and stop at the closest rest area, where we crashed for a couple of hours. Keegan slept a lot more than that, and we started our drive to Charlottesville. We were very early, of course, and since we couldn’t check in before the afternoon, we took the long, scenic route out, via the Shenandoah National Park. It was beautiful! We grabbed some sandwiches and had a pic nic overlooking the beautiful vistas. The trees were all shades of red, yellow and orange, and still quite a bit of green, and we got the chance to experience ” the change of season”. Yeah, very beautiful, but no I don’t miss it. In fact, thinking about the 80 degrees we left in San Diego, I almost felt homesick…and of course worried about the fire risk.
We took it all in, and we made it to the hotel just in time for check in. Friday night we had a BBQ/rehearsal dinner…outdoors. It has been really warm and beautiful all week, but, as fate wanted, the temperatures dropped 20 degrees on friday. It was Friday 17, after all (the Italians know what I mean). So, it was quite chilly, but we were prepared: we finally got the chance to use some of the cute outfits that Keegan received, never wore, and almost outgrown, because it is still so hot in San Diego. We really enjoyed the company. It was also the first chance for Tizi to meet the bride to be. Keegan was great. We kept him on San Diego time, which means we could stay out till 10.30pm. he was his usual social self. In fact, Abby took him for a good 15 minutes, and took him around, and he didn’t even look to search for us. I almost forgot I had a child…J/K.
with Abby
The night went well: our little guy slept all night through. he did wake up a little early (San Diego time), but still a nice solid night. The next day was sunny, and we just hung around, did a little clothes shopping for Mattie (so he could look even more smashing at the wedding), and Tizi could finally got a present for his birthday: yeah saturday was Matt’s birthday. Quite an unusual way to celebrate it, but still. Tizi also bought a Rubick cube for him. Very old school, I know, but when we were in Italy, Matt got hold of the original one and spent many hours solving it:he was almost there when we left, so I figured he need his own to practice. Hey, it must be popular again since it is still sold…at Toys’r’Us (recommended age 8+).
The wedding was at 4pm in a winery…what? Never heard of the famous Virginia wine? Shame on you!. The weather was nice but a little chilly, but this didn’t stop Gwyn from wearing a beautiful sleeveless gown. The ceremony was brief but pretty…as far as I could tell anyway. I had to stop away since SOMEONE decided to be very vocal and refused to sit in his stroller. Carter and Gwyn looked radiant.
the happy couple
what a smashing pair: my two favorite men
After the ceremony a reception was arranged. We didn’t know too many people, but Abby and her hubby was there with little Nina. Keegan was happy to see her again, and they played together…mainly taking toys from each other, and walk away.They were good troopers, though: no crying or fighting: they simply took turns. maybe days care is to credit for it.
Old friends (and their additions) with the groom
the toy’s tug of war
Later, after the winery closed, the inside room was open up to the wedding guest,just in time for the chilly evening. A fun fire pit was also set up outside. Keegan was very good: he played in the grass, ate snacks and dinner, and even took a nap in his new travel stroller. After long considerations, we did buy a lightweight stroller, a Combi Helio.
Dueling stroller
It is not as cool as Tizi would have wanted, but at 11lb and with an easy compact folding and a carrying starp it did fit the bill. And we have found it gently used on Craigslist, so we saved some cash too. Plus it reclines, has a front bar and has removable top straps, which were high priority for us and our little traveler.
the wedding cakes
Again, by staying on San Diego time we were able to hang out till past 10pm: Keegan was the last baby standing. He promptly passed out in the car, and we easily transitioned him to the crib once we arrived at the hotel. We had to take a couple of pics of his interesting sleeping positions: , face down, on his side, legs bent and butt up in the air. How can he sleep like this? it is a mystery. However, we learned the hard way not to wake him, regardless of the uncomfortable position he is in. In Italy Tizi had the brilliant idea to reposition him when he feel asleep sitting up, whith his head against the corner of the crib. He woke up, and promptly cried for a good 20 minutes.
interesting sleeping position
Sunday was our travel day. Keegan, was a little cranky all day. He got wakend up when we stopped to have breakfast at IHOP (punishment fro trying to actually have a sit down breakfast???) and he was probably still tired, but couldn’t get back to sleep. So, while he had been sleeping peacefully for most of the car drives, he was awake for the whole two hours we were driving back to Washington. Awake, and super cranky, I must add. He finally fell asleep just as we arrived at Matt’s brother Michael’s house. We had a quick, but pleasant visit with him, little Ella and Carol’s mother. Keegan woke up in time to play with his cousin and aeat some lunch, and then it was back to car again and to the airport. The return flight was challenging. The flight was, noce again packed, so we had to keep Keegan on our lap…well, that was the plan anyway, but mr. cranky pants was having a little cabin fever, and did not want to stay put. We took turns to take him on the back of the plane and make sure he would not do anything too dangerous. We tried to get him to sleep, but he protested, LOUDLY. He finally passed out on our lap, and we go about half the flight to nap a little.
Back home, he was awake and ready to play, but fortunately went back to bed easily. The house was still in one piece and no major fires broke out during the weekend. We had a good time but we were definitively ready to go home and rest. And NO MORE FLIGHTS for a long time, hopefully. We will limit ourselves to car drives. Talking of which…we have to start looking for car seat, as this little one (not so little anymore) is basically grown out of his infant one.
passed out after the wedding
