This past week we took our first family vacation as a family of three to San Diego! Alan had a medical conference to attend so Caroline and I decided to tag-along. We debated long and hard about taking our 10 week old across the country. We decided it was too good of an opportunity to pass up and you only live once so, why not!? I'm so glad that we decided to be adventurous because Caroline impressed us beyond belief at how well she traveled and adapted to life in a hotel room for four nights. She was an angel. I probably said those words 100 times during the trip. She LOVED the flights. She slept most of the time but when she was awake she laid very contently in my lap. We strategically picked seats towards the back of the plane and I think that the roar of the engine was very soothing to her. We gave her a bottle at each take off to help her little ears and it seemed to do the trick. She didn't cry the slightest whimper on all four of our flights. The flight attendants were bragging on her and she even earned her first set of "wings".
At the Jackson airport about to board her first flight!
So content in Mommy's lap during the flight.
**Travel tip: If you are flying with an infant, little footie pajamas are perfect for keeping their little feet warm and helping them stay warm and cozy throughout the flight without having to fight with a blanket in close quarters.
We stayed in the Gaslamp District of San Diego at the Westin. It was a great location as there were over 100 restaurants within walking distance and a mall attached to our hotel! We were so happy that Courtney, one of my dear friends and wife of another emergency medicine resident, was there to play with us! We had such fun "girl days" shopping and strolling while the guys were in conferences.
The first night we went to a delicious trendy restaurant, Seersucker. Afterwards we enjoyed a sweet treat at Ghirardelli's! If we look overly excited about digging into this dessert it's because we are. :)
Day two we brunched at Cafe 21, the yummiest breakfast spot on fifth avenue. The weather was so beautiful and we enjoyed sitting outside taking it all in. I sure wish I would've snapped a picture of my banana filled french toast. Heaven on a plate.
**Note Caroline's face. What happens when you stop to take pictures with a hungry baby.
San Diego Selfie ;) ;)
The biggest bummer about the trip was the weather. We luckily had two beautiful days (photo above), but the last two days were rainy and COLD. The first thing everyone said when I told them we were going to San Diego was "Oh you have to go just to experience how perfect the weather is." Not too hot, not too cold, and always sunny. Well, oddly enough it rained for two days non-stop and it was cold and windy. We didn't let it get us too down. Caroline and I enjoyed extra snuggles in the hotel room and several photo shoots. We also may have ventured down to the hotel snack bar for treats more than once.
She must have seen her reflection and realized that her bow was as big as her head.
"Bow" big or go home!
Love those baby blues.
Our last night it finally stopped raining and we were able to attend a Padres baseball game! Alan and I enjoyed a big ole' ball park hotdog as we rooted for the home team. Caroline on the other hand slept the entire game in her sling.
Sweet and cozy in the sling.
**She's probably praying that we don't get nailed by a foul ball. We had third row seats from the field right behind third base, a very popular location for foul balls. Thankfully we left with only a couple of close calls and intact noggins!
Well, that wraps up a very abbreviated synopsis of our first family vacay. We are blessed with such a happy and content baby girl that made our travels much easier and smoother than anticipated! Now, where should we take her next!?
