January 08, 2017

A Not-Resolution Resolution for 2017


Last year's travel wish list ended up... busting, to state it mildly. Between adjusting to a baby, saving our pennies for our three week trip to Germany, managing a full time job and buying a house, we didn't go very many places. Out of the sixteen items and two bonus items on that list, I completed six.

Womp womp.

So this year, rather than posting specific travel and lifestyle wish list items, I am simply resolving to be present and to do.

Simple enough to manage even for a working wife and mother, right?

By the end of this year, I want to look back and identify at least one new thing for every month, no matter how simple. I want to be present in my hometowns (Charlottesville and Richmond, Va.) and to do things here. While I'll always hunger for going somewhere else, during this time of having to stay closer to home, I want to make the most of it and discover why people come visit this area. Because they do! And they do so to experience many things I have yet to do.

As one example, both Charlottesville and Richmond have vibrant food scenes, thanks to the plethora of restaurants that call this area home. This month I tried eggplant for the first time at an Afghan restaurant here in C'ville. If I accomplish nothing else in the next three weeks, at least I can claim that as a new experience for January! The food was delicious, and I loved how the decor transported me to another corner of the world.

So now I just need to compile a rough idea of things to do and see in our area (and maybe one or two out of state things we can squeeze in?). If you were to come to central Virginia, what sort of things would you like to do or see?


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January 03, 2017

2017 - Two Is Better Than One


Happy 2017, everyone! Surprise (or no surprise), the Gypsy family is expanding yet again! It's time to prepare for another passport purchase when Baby #2 makes their appearance in early July. We seem to have a knack for holiday babies (our daughter arrived on Christmas eve 2015), so I would not be surprised if we end up with an Independence Day babe. Anyone want to place a bet?!

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While many were relieved to see the backside of 2016 and welcomed 2017 with cautious optimism, we enjoyed a wonderful 2016 and feel that 2017 has some big shoes to fill. We enjoyed so many firsts. Our 2016 began with a new outlook on life, seeing the world through the eyes of a newborn. From outings to staycations to visiting new places and revisiting favorites, we took Baby Gypsy everywhere with us. While traveling is a completely different ball game with a child, it is not only completely doable, but something we highly recommend, both for your child's sake and yours. It has compelled Danny and I to work better as a team and permitted us to experience the world in a new way as we share it with our little one. While Baby #2 will keep our hands even more full, I can't wait to take this newest little one near and far, too! Visiting Germany in 2018 for the World Cup sounds like a great idea. Time to turn these littles into Mannschaft fans - Mia san mia, y'all!

Admittedly, our travels in 2016 were few and far between compared to previous years, but this was only partly due to having a little one. We began looking for a house in the early spring, and by summer, we were under contract. We took a few trips around the state (bumping into Ozzy Osbourne while he filmed a TV show at Jamestown was one highlight), took a couple trips up to Amish country in Pennsylvania, and spent three glorious weeks in Bavaria visiting Danny's German relatives. But with the impending purchase of the house, we were mindful of our finances and satisfied ourselves with exploring our two closest cities - Richmond and Charlottesville, Va. - instead of more exotic international destinations. 2017 will likely also be a more subdued travel year due to Baby #2's mid-year arrival, but with so many things to see in our state (let alone our whole country), I'm sure we'll have more than a few new things to enjoy!

With so many things on our plate regarding home ownership and new baby, I daren't even make a 2017 travel wishlist because it's likely I won't accomplish a single thing! However, I am resolving to be more present in the present - spending less time mindlessly scrolling online and being more efficient with what time I do spend in cyberspace. Plus, let's face it - having one kid is time-consuming enough, but two?! My poor blog is going to be so neglected! However, I still maintain a presence on Instagram with photos from past trips and recent excursions. But unless or until I win that coveted lottery and can achieve stay-at-home-trophy-wife-and-mama status, I can't promise that my blogging frequency will improve. :) But I shall try!

What's going on in your lives?!

Regensburg with the little and my sister in law

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