We're Ba-ack!--Days 1,2,& 3

Well, we are back in the U.S. of A. and have thrown ourselves right back into our same old routine. I've decided to post about our trip a couple of days at a time so I can justify having so many pictures within each post. ;)

Days 1 & 2--Thursday, April 7th & Friday April 8th

Our flight was scheduled to leave at 7:55 a.m. which required us being to the airport much earlier than we would have liked. I woke up at 4 to get myself ready and then woke up the boys about 4:40. Bridger had no clue as to why we were waking him up that early and then trying to get him to eat a big bowl of cereal. By the time he was done eating, he was wide awake and excited that we were up and going.

{I took this picture of Bridger as we were packing a few days before our trip...I love that little French fry. ;)}

My dad came to pick us up at 5:15 so he could take us to the airport. (Thanks, Dad!) We got everything loaded, locked up the house and we were off! At the airport we had more than we could carry--2 checked bags, a stroller, a carseat with the base, 2 carry ons, & 3 personal items (2 backpacks, 1 diaper bag). I'm sure we looked like quite the circus show trying to gracefully get on and off the escalators. :) My dad helped us until we got to the security checkpoint and we were glad to make it to our gate with time to relax.

{Daddy & Bridger at the airport waiting to board the plane.}

On the way there we had one layover (3 hours) in Washington D.C. Bridger was such a trooper on his very first flight! He was fascinated by all of the new things and fell asleep as we took off. The flight was about 4 hours and he slept for the first 45 minutes and then happily played for the remaining time. We were so, so grateful since Bridger generally will not, under any circumstance, fall asleep while being held.

{Bridger sitting in the seat on the airplane...ready to go! He did not have his own seat for any of the flights so Scott and I switched off having him on our lap.}

We ate lunch on our layover and then I browsed through bookstores and gift shops with Bridger while Scott watched a movie on his iPhone.

When we took off from D.C., Bridger once again fell asleep during take off. Seriously, it was so perfect. He only slept for about 45 minutes again and then was up to play. The first 4 hours of that flight went really well and then Bridger started to get really tired and, like I said, he generally doesn't like to be held to sleep. I was up walking with him and he stayed pretty happy but wouldn't go to sleep. I finally got him to fall asleep the last 40 minutes. Lets just say we were very glad to have finally made it!

{This flight attendant loved Bridger. He gave him a set of wings and a certificate of 'First Flight' that was signed by the pilot. He also came to play with him for some of the flight and held him for awhile.}

Once we got off the plane and put Bridger in the stroller he was out. (And I mean...really out.) We went through customs, picked up our bags and waited for Scott's dad who was coming to pick us up--our flight had arrived about 30 minutes before it was scheduled (We arrived at 6:00 a.m. on Friday). After some illegal parking maneuvers and frantically throwing our luggage into the car, we were off to Mom & Dad's apartment!

{Totally zonked out after the long plane rides...}

It was here that Bridger finally got to meet his Nana & Papa! I had a onsie made for him that says, "Do I {heart} Nana & Papa?" and on the back it says, "Oui!" ('Yes' or 'I do' in French). And, as you can see from the picture above, he was also wearing his beret.

Scott, Bridger & I all took naps for a couple of hours and then we were off to tour...first up, Vaux le Vicomte!

Vaux le Vicomte is a chateau which was a 40 minute drive from the apartment. The architect used for this chateau was the same one that was used for the Palace of Versailles (which we saw on our last trip). We had such beautiful weather while we were there and enjoyed touring the grounds by golf cart. Scott's dad even drove us through one of the water features! We also had the chance to see many different carriages, the inside of the chateau with all of the decorations, and climbed up a questionably sound wooden staircase in order to take pictures of the grounds from the rooftop. It was the perfect afternoon activity.

After spending a few hours there we drove back to the apartment, ate dinner and then attempted to go to bed while Mom & Dad attended a young single adult activity. I say 'attempted' because Bridger would not sleep. I think he cried more those first few nights we were there than he has cried his entire life. The poor kid really struggled with the time change. Normally I would have made him 'cry it out' (yes, I'm a 'mean' parent like that) but because we were in an apartment building, I'm certain his crying could be heard by every person in the building. So--we ended up committing the cardinal parenting sin--he slept in our bed with us. Yes, we were overcrowded and yes, we weren't as comfortable as we would have been if the little man hadn't been sprawled out over half of the mattress. But, he was finally sleeping...which was really all we cared about at that point. :)

Day 3--Saturday, April 9th

This day was spent touring Giverny & Rouen.

After several hours of unexpected traffic, we arrived at Giverny in time to enjoy a picnic lunch on the beautiful grounds. We then went inside Monet's gardens and toured his home. The grounds were absolutely stunning and had so much variety! I think we went at the perfect time because, unlike Utah, they actually have Spring in France. The weather was beautiful, everything was green and the flowers were in full bloom. We spent a few hours touring here and loved every second of it.

{I told Scott that if I had gardens this beautiful I would be inspired to paint as well as Monet, too.}

Then, we were off to Rouen! We first went to the cathedral and then spent time walking down the streets to see the big clock and eventually made it to the place where Joan of Arc was burned. I must say, it is so cool to be able to go to these places that have been a part of world history. Lining the streets were half-timberd buildings. We stopped at a chocolate shop nearby where I purchased some 'Joan of Arc tears'--chocolate covered almonds--and then went to a clothing store where I purchased a cute white blouse. We ate dinner that night at a sidewalk cafe across from another church in Rouen and enjoyed watching the night life while eating some delicious French cuisine.

{Cobblestones everywhere! When we would push the stroller over them Bridger would go right to sleep. He loved them!}

{This house is leaning so far looks like it is about to tip over!}

Phew! Can you believe that was just the first 3 days? Stay tuned for more...