Amy's Spot: Paris in January (and how traveling with a toddler changes things...)

In August of 2005, I had the opportunity to visit Chad when he was stationed in Germany and we were only just dating.

Among some day trips around Hanau, we spent a long weekend in Paris.

Visiting Paris was the stuff my dreams were made of... visiting Paris with my soldier boyfriend was beyond that.

We ate, walked, toured, marveled at the Eiffel Tower and enjoyed everything the city had to offer.

I made Chad promise me right there on a boat cruising down the Seine that we would return to Paris one day....

7 years later he fulfilled that promise.

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There is a great luxury in returning to a place you've conquered in the past.

Our first trip in Paris was an explosion of every tourist trap imaginable... although I enjoyed it thoroughly, I knew this trip would be different.

Relaxed. Leisurely. Low key.

I researched this trip more than any trip in our recent past.

Our sweet cooing baby who we use to strap in the ergo and lull to sleep through various cities is now a demanding, noisy toddler making travel a totally new experience.

I thanked God our flight was only 40 minutes as Rhett continually opened and closed the tray table for 25 minutes while simultaneously digging his shoed heals into my bladder.

We were off the plane and looking for our driver by 1000 am although it felt more like noon.

We opted for the overly priced hotel shuttle (with car seat) instead of winging it with the metro (good choice considering Rhett had been up since 430).

We also chose an overpriced hotel in the heart of the city to allow easy access to... well... everything.

The hotel shared the street with the US Embassy and a Hermes store.

At this point I'm sure you can imagine the type of hotel we stayed in.

Anyways,

our first stop in Paris was to a restaurant for a club poulet.

I thought it odd that the Parisian's giggled as the waiter served Chad a mas of beer but then I realized it wasn't even 1130 yet and it all made perfect sense.

After lunch, we explored the city in the most leisurely of fashions before visiting the Musee d'Orsay (one of the only things on our to-do list besides mass at Notre Dame).

We spent a great deal of the remaining weekend visiting all the child friendly parks scattered throughout the city-

letting our little American monster run wild just like his fellow European comrades.

He loved it.

And he loved his french babysitter, Paulu-

who allowed us one free night to enjoy the quirky yet entertaining show at The Moulin Rouge.

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I wish I could say that this last trip fulfilled my desire to return to Paris but as we walked along the river, underneath the Eiffel Tower, and through the maze like streets of the city I couldn't help but ask Chad...

"can't you get a job with the Embassy so we can move here?"

He followed through last time.

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Rhett in his mini French car seat.

We ate our first meal at Madeleine 7 on Madeleine just a block up from our hotel. They had highchairs (sometimes a challenge to find we've heard) and a great lunch menu. Their Crepe Madeleine is um.... heavenly.