When my dear sister-in-law referred to her family vacation with her 5 month old as a relocation, I laughed. When I began to prepare for our family vacation with a 3 month old, I reconsidered that laugh! Traveling with children is such an adventure...a treat for those who love a logistical challenge. The end of July was very busy for us. My youngest brother Nate married his highschool sweetheart Ashley on July 21st - such a beautiful day! And then 1 day later we left on a plane for my hometown in Pennsylvania. Sooo, literally 1 month before we left the travel prepartions began, checklists were made, and bags were packed (lots and lots of bags).
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| FC loves the airplanes...Daddy really enjoyed this part of the trip. |
FC did amazing the weekend of the wedding and on our travels to PA - despite not being around Mommy and Daddy much, being passed around to various family members, and having disruptions to our already loosley-formed schedule. We are so thankful to have family and friends that love us and took such great care of FC when we couldn't.
Our vacation was FULL of "firsts" for FC. So glad Daddy was there to experience so much of it with us. We spent a day in Lancaster and rode a steam engine train and ate some yummy PA Dutch food. We swam in a pool and traveled to see Aunt Becca and Chip for an afternoon. John was able to satisfy his nerdy history buff side with trips to the Carlisle War College barracks and a day at Gettysburg. Best of all - we were able to spend quailty time with my Grandma (and FC's "GG") and even celebrate Grandma's 90th birthday with a HUGE surprise party the day before we left.
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| A little hotel room rumble before bedtime...peek-a-boo Little Duck! |
Gettysburg was a hit....though John really could have spent a week there. Next time...
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| Near where Pickett's charge took place and "High Water Mark" |
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| John and FC showing some AL pride...we even got a "WAR EAGLE!!" from another passerby! |
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| Finally, a FC smile captured on film!! |
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| FC's vantage point of the battlefield...she slept through the last half of the tour. :) |
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| Daddy and FC on our first trainride! |
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| On the Strasburg railroad in Lacaster |
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| A trip to Montoursville, PA was also on the dockett! We had a blast with Chip and Aunt Becca!! |
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| John enjoying the day at the barracks...maybe I should have left him there! |
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| This gear was just for the day at Grandmas...really?? And I was packing as compactly as I could. |
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Some PA countryside....I commented on this state's beauty constantly during our trip. Miss it!
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The 90th Birthday Bash!!
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| Four Generations of Schwarz! A memory never to be forgotten! |
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| We spent time with all our family and friends - FC with my childhood family friend Alex! |
Our week of fun family time was worth what would happen on the eventful trip home. Really! Took some convincing on my part, but as I look back on the pictures and am reminded of the memories made I'd do it all again in a heartbeat. As I have retold the story of our return flight to other parents I have recieved these glances of empathy that are heavy with unspoken words of shared experience - I imagine this is true for all people who share in similiar traumas (and trauma it was!!). FC held it together until 1 minute prior to boarding our plane home - we were just 1 hour shy of our vacation being over...really?!? That's when I watched my sweet baby hit her point of no return - no amount of swaddling, feeding, singing, shusshing could stop this monumental fall apart. And Yes...we were THAT family on the airplane. I will never again pass that judgement for we "did" everything one could reccomend when flying with a small child. Fast foward past the hour of screaming, vomitting that resembled a garden hose of milk (per John's perspective - mine was much different as I was the one being thrown-up on), and the largest poopy diaper ever made (it took out 3 diapers and 2 outfits)....and we survived. A week later I feel like we're nearly recouperated - nearly. We are doing well...just don't mention that "V" word anytime soon around me...it has been known to induce nervous twitches in Mom's like me.
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| A bond from the start - worth it all!! Such a precious sight! |
Oh, that photo of FC and her GG is worth the whole trip. How precious! You will treasure that always. I have been THAT woman on an airplane too...you have my sympathy and understanding! And I love looking at your photos. You look beautiful, and so put-together for a young first-time mommy; go Melinda! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Lauren! It has been so fun sifting throught the pictures and making this little record for us. Im so NOT put together most days - you should have seen the harried dash we made into Gma's birthday party...Im pretty sure she saw me wisking the baby in the back door. :)
ReplyDeleteFun times! Lots of memories to have forever too!
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