Cha-cha-changes!

Whelp, a lot has happened since the last post in July... I got a new day gig, we sold our DC house annnnnd we have moved across the country to HELENA, MONTANA! These past three months have been quite the whopper but the Hubs and I are taking it in stride and finally starting to catch our breath. Things we've learned along the way...

1. Moving is THE worst. Because our ultimate goal is to end up in Bozeman (MT) after the Montana legislative session, our move has been a bit more complicated. Our stuff will arrive Election Day in two places - some things going to storage in Bozeman and some things coming to our rented furnished condo in Helena. We're crossing our fingers AND toes the division of our goods goes smoothly...

2. Henry IS Henry. Despite all the change, Henry continues to smile and roll with whatever comes

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his way. He's no longer in a nanny share and had his first day of daycare last week. As expected, Henry loves interacting with ALL the other kids and ALSO has a wicked cold - which we also anticipated. 

3. Change is HARD. Although our longterm plan has been to return west, we were unprepared for our move to happen this year. There are only a few opportunities in my home state of Montana that size up to where I want my career to advance. So when the call came, we got our affairs in order, threw in a penny for luck and hit the road but that does NOT mean it's been easy. Every day has been HARD work.

4. Woodley IS Woodley. Despite his years and wise (looking) gray beard, our high anxiety dog Woodley continues to be high anxiety and needs time to adjust. Unfortunately, we learned this the hard way... AGAIN! Halloween dinner cost us some interior car upholstery and our only warm bedding (AKA our down comforter). But don't worry, we learned our lesson and are now the weirdos parked around the corner spying on our dog via baby monitor...

5. It's OKAY to rely on your people. I am fiercely independent and do not like having help from others. It doesn't matter if you're family, friends or a complete stranger. I'm the person who yelps "I've got this!" while balancing a baby, all the groceries and rapidly typing an email on my phone. But sometimes it's okay to accept help. Although this a lesson I'm still trying to learn. I think it's important in order to not sweat the small stuff.

6. CRY, it helps. This transition has been nothing but H-U-G-E and shedding a few tears makes it a little more bearable. We left DC when one of our dearest friends became pregnant and I envisioned us buggying our littles together around town... When I finally felt like I had gotten a routine as a working mom... When we felt settled in our house and loved every nook and cranny... We left DC and our Sunday Suppers with the Hubs' parents which elevated DC to feel like home. So let those tears run guuuurl, you need it!

7. Buy ALL the warm stuff. Yep, we moved from a warmish east coast fall and it's now full on fall/winter in Montana (i.e. snow this week --eeek!) I finally will admit my decade on the other coast has really made me a wuss and I have not invested in pieces other than "city warmers." Time for this mama to go shopping and get practical!

8. When in doubt, DRESS your baby as a fawn. But seriously. Halloween came at just the right time and we dressed our little dude as a fawn, which is western speak for baby deer. And GAHD DAMN IT, Henry was the cutest thing and continues to don his costume because it's the only warm thing we own that fits him. #HalloweenForever 

9. Get your nails done. For real. Get your nails done, fluff that hair and put on your armor. Life is freaking scary and you better believe it's easier to face what's coming when you feel prepared!

10. Worry LESS (or do something about it!) Worrying less is not my forte so instead I've become a master at re-chaneling energy. This means... scared about the election? Go out and canvass. Anxiety not letting you sleep? Go for a hike. Easier said than done but it's worth a try...

Later Gators...

2018 Family Photos

You guys! I'm back and here to say we survived our two and half week adventure in Europe with our three month old! The Hubs, Henry and I took on three countries (Austria, France and Germany) in 15 days and although we're now battling some serious jet lag, it was worth every minute!

Buuuuut hold up... More on that later... For now, please enjoy a selection of our family photos from an intimate morning with Rebecca Thornton Photography. Throwing it back to when Henry was just 10 weeks old (insert ugly cries here...!!!) Thank you Rebecca for capturing ALL the L-O-V-E of our little family.

Happy Thursday folks and keep it here for a quick roundup of our epic overseas tour soon to come!! 

Paris Bound

It's happening, my goodness, it's happening! In just a little over a week, the Hubs, Henry and I will be en route to Paris at last - SQUEE! Originally we'd planned to become francophiles last November in celebration of our baby on the way. But due to unforeseen pregnancy complications, we chose to postpone our trip. Now with our little bundle in tow, we're heading out for a grand European adventure!

So m'dears... Here's our to-do list... Although Henry and I will be first timers, we already know in our hearts... "Paris is always a good idea!"

+ FOOD
Berthillon // Luxury ice cream and sorbet.. Need I say more?!
BigLove // We've heard the pizza is not to miss!

Cafe de Flore // Apparently this little restaurant is one of the oldest coffee houses in Paris and wine on the terrace is simply divine.
Cafe Ineko // Quaint with enough beautiful little dishes and decor to be featured in Vogue?! OKAY...

Claus // Many have claimed this joint offers the best croissants in the city.
East Mamma // For ALL the pasta!

Le Comptoir General // A quintessential french setting for cocktails. Time Out says "FIVE STARS!"
Le Madonnina // One of the Hubs' picks, and supposedly "REAL bomb!"
Le Pain et Des Idees // A fine traditional bakery to eat bread and more.
PaperBoy // Boasting to have one of the best brunches in Paris.
Rose Bakery Tea Room au Le Bon Marche // I'm not always a girl for sweets but the carrot cake is supposedly awe inspiring!
Telescope // Coffee... (!!!)

+ ACTIVITIES
Eiffel Tower // Duhhhh... enough said! And yes, I imagine us taking in the view via picnic!
Louvre // A newbies must see...
Love Lock Bridge // Apparently all the love locks have been removed. Is it worth being a law breaker?
Musee d'Orsay // Set in an old train station, this museum hosts many of the classics.
Musee de l'Orangerie // "The water lilies. American abstract and the last Monet."
Musee des Arts Décoratifs // Sadly we missed the Christian Dior exhibition but the current Hermes exhibition has piqued my interest...
Musee National Picasso // Because Picasso (!!!)
Musee Yves Saint Laurent // A true fashion icon, we must pay our respects in his home city.
Palais-Royal Gardens // A summertime visit means a walk through these gardens is at the top of my list!
Place des Vosges // The oldest planned square in Paris.
Sacre Coeur and Montmarte // A grand church with architectural features like woah.
Sainte- Chapelle // You don't need religion to know this little chapel is tops!
Versailles // Another duhhhh... enough said!
Walks // We're gate checking our umbrella stroller and packing our walking shoes. For starters, I hope to explore the Marias neighborhood also known as the Jewish quarter, the Rue Rambuteau and the youthful and energetic neighborhood of St. Germain...

+ SHOPS/GOODS
Colette // Apparently "the trendiest store in the world!"
Dries Van Noten // To look, not buy - OBVIOUSLY! The online preview? ($$$$$).
Goyard // I love the color play and pattern of their totes. Goyard truly lives colorfully!
Lemaire // French women and menswear that hints at Need Supply's clean and simple style.
Maison de Vacances Home Design // You don't need to speak french to know this home goods shop is all about vacation style.
Merci // A little bit of everything for everyone... home goods, womenswear and menswear.
Petite Bateau // For ALL the basics for Henry's closet!

+ STAY
Hotel Fabric // The Hubs booked this boutique hotel given its central location and room layout that can easily host three!

Our list is sure to grow... Especially as I page through Vanessa Grall's Don't be a Tourist in Paris! But seriously... be a dear and add your additions below!

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