Seth and I have been talking about going out of the country for the past 2 years of our marriage. We threw around ideas - Prague, Ireland, some exotic island, etc. However we never committed to it. Work got busy, life got busy, money was too tight - we always made some excuse. About a month after we found out we were having a baby we finally said "lets do this" and planned our trip out of the country - to Paris.
As much as I hate the name "babymoon" it really is a good description of our trip. We had a harsh realization that in less than a year we would no longer be able to leave at the drop of a hat (not that we ever did). Even after we had the baby it would take a few years before we would be comfortable leaving the kid with family for longer than a few days. We needed to do this. We needed to go somewhere together because we know that in 4 months now our lives will change forever. And what a better way to celebrate the last trip as just the two of us than the city of light?
The wise thing may have been for me to save up my vacation time so that when I am on maternity leave I would actually have some paid time off. Nope - lets use it all! My work was great and supportive and so we set a date for September. Perfect timing, 2nd trimester, not too big, not too sick, and perfect weather. We decided on Paris for many reasons: 1). It's Paris. 2). We can fly nonstop from Salt Lake to Paris (and we were flying standby) 3). It's Paris!!
We decided to rent a flat instead of a hotel room. We knew we weren't going to find a decent room for less than $100 a night in Paris and we had a good friend suggest that we stay in a vacation rental instead. We are so glad we did. We were in a great area in a great little flat and we felt like we had a more authentic experience being around the Parisians.
Side note about Parisians: They are every bit as stylish, confident and classy as I imagined - even more so. All of the French women were thin - it's true what they say about French women being skinny. In fact the only obese people we saw in Paris, were Brits or Americans. The women and men were so fashionable but in the most casual way. No Winnie the Pooh sweatshirts there - but really stylish clothing. Even the way they do their hair is stylish but not too done. No tight curls, no overly styled hair. The French women have wild locks and it looks great! Finally the thing that struck me the most about the Parisians - their confidence. Every woman (and man) walked down the street like they were the greatest. But not in a pretentious way - just in a "happy with who they are" way. And I loved it. Sure they were a bit rough around the edges but overall I found them to be wonderful. Seriously I want to be French when I grow up. :)
We had 6 nights in Paris and nearly 6 full days. And boy did we see everything. Well not everything but all of the main sites. We hit all the major museums...
We took a night cruise on the Seine...
We visited the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower....
We ate good food...
And stopped by some of the greatest chapels and churches....
We even took a train to Versaille for the day....
We had a lovely time. But I must say at the end of the day I could barely walk I was so exhausted. We must have walked for 6-7 hours a day but it was wonderful. We made our way on the subway and on foot and I couldn't have asked for a better experience.
This wasn't a vacation in the sense that it was relaxing. In fact, Seth has told many people that our next vacation we are going somewhere with a beach and not plans and we are doing nothing. Ha!
I'm so glad we went. I know that the money we spent could have been spent on a million different projects around our house. Perhaps we could have furnished the nursery with the money we spent. However I think this was just as important. We needed some time together - alone before it is never just Seth and I again. It has been just Seth and I for 6 years now - hard to believe. I can't wait for little Millie to come. But it is scary and emotional knowing that our lives are going to change in such a drastic way. I teeter from feeling elated and excited for the baby to anxiety and fear. It's a whole slew of emotions right now but what a fun ride it has been.
I'm officially 1/2 way through the pregnancy. She's coming soon - whether we are ready or not!
As for Paris - what a city. If you haven't been, you should go. It's beautiful and full of more art, history and beauty than you can imagine for one city. It's pretty amazing.
