Nashville + Chattanooga

We survived our first trip as a family of four!

This trip was planned shortly before I knew I was pregnant with Ava. My older sister, got engaged and chose a wedding venue in the beautiful mountains of Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Of course when I found out my due date March 23rd, I was relieved it was exactly a month before the wedding and not on E’s actual wedding day. The timing was perfect, but my whole pregnancy I was mentally preparing to travel with a one month old.

~ NASHVILLE + CHATTANOOGA ~

Ava’s first vacation started on Friday, April 20, 2018. She was 4 weeks 6 days old. We made is through our first flight on South West Air. Of course we had tons of luggage, no minimal packing here. We hauled a toddler, an infant, a stroller, 2 car seats, 3 bags, a diaper bag, and a tuxedo, MOH dress, and flower girl dress. ~ PRO TIP: Have the hubby drop you, the kids, and the luggage at the front of the airport, while he parks the car. We learned the hard way the first time. Two year olds are painfully slow while walking from the parking lot to the front. And no one could carry her with all of the luggage.

Another thing that made traveling through the airport 100% easier was babywearing. Everyone knows I’m a huge fan of babywearing. I alternate between my Solly Baby Wrap and my Sakura Bloom Ring Sling.

On this trip, I loved using my Solly Baby Wrap while exploring the Aquarium, Zoo and the different parts of Nashville because it was easier to shade my baby’s head from the sun and the rain.

I pulled out my ring sling for babywearing at the wedding because it was a little fancier.

Both are cozy and share the same baby wearing benefits. It is also a preference, some babies and mamas prefer one over the other. I choose mine depending on what I’m doing. My babies seem to be comfortable in either one. For more information on babywearing and it’s benefits, read this.

Once we got to Chattanooga, we were super busy. I was the MOH, but also did E’s wedding hair and makeup.

Although, non stop busy – just call me, mommy, MOH, hairstylist/makeup artist, or Sister of the Bride – we had a blast celebrating Emily and Ryan at their wedding with family and friends.

It was really amazing seeing everyone, and all of the hard work and plans came together so beautifully.

(wedding photo by Lindsay Campbell Photography.)

~ PRO TIP: just leave the baby and two year old with a babysitter and enjoy date night with the hubby. Zoe was suppose to be the flower girl, but honestly it was just too much for her. Good thing my mother-in-law was there as “babysitter” and came to the rescue!

Chattanooga is a really great area, which had tons of fun restaurants and shopping. Our favorite part (besides the wedding), was visiting the Aquarium.

I would love to go back to Chattanooga and explore a little more. The hiking trails are suppose to be incredible.

Once all of the wedding festivities were completed, we headed to Nashville. A couple of years back I ran the Nashville Country Music Half Marathon. So Nashville wasn’t new to me.

However, the food scene was pretty amazing and I had more time to explore some other neighborhoods.

When it came to the food, Hot Chicken and BBQ are the specialties of the area, however there were tons of juice bars. Some of my favorite things were the Thai Peanut ice cream and the donuts from Five Sisters.

Nashville also has some pretty incredible street art. We went to “WhatLifts You” wings by Kelsey Montague.

And the “I Believe in Nashville” street art posted above.

We enjoyed a little bit of the music scene by walking around in down town Nashville. And on our last day, we took a family trip to the Zoo.

All in all, we love both Chattanooga and Nashville! You’ll always hold a special place in my heart for being Ava’s very first vacation spot! She is such a great little traveler at just a month old.

What’s your favorite thing about Nashville? Have you traveled with an infant… what’s your pro tip?

Remembering Our Wedding Day!


There are so many amazing photos from our wedding, however, these are some of my favorite photos of our day. 

If you can’t tell from the photos themselves, romantic, intimate, bohemian, rustic, vintage is how I would describe our wedding. 

I will never forget the crazy, but amazing planning process. The time devoted. The challenge of planning from the East coast, how much I learned about myself and how much it changed me, during the process.

Dress shopping at Gossipia, dress alterations, my mom making my veil. Spending the day, making save the dates. Spending days hand making invitations. Finalizing plans over the phone, taking a trip out to California to meet our vendors. Taste testing “Spanish” food, which was gluten free, from local farms, that went perfectly paired with my Aunt’s wine. Taste testing the sweetness of our wedding cake. 

Now the Wedding Day…

The morning…

Waking up early, to go for a run, around the lake energized, but relaxed me all in the same. Cutting Erik’s hair (grooming the groom) the morning of the wedding, was cute and funny. Hanging out with my sisters and mom drinking mimosas as I did everyone’s hair and then my own. 

Go time…

I remember peeking out my window seeing my guests arrive. After everyone else headed down to the vineyard, the ceremony site, Jackie and I got driven down. There was a slight delay because Jackie forgot the flowers. As she sprinted back, Erik was patiently waiting at the alter, under the hot California sun.

I remember walking down the isle of white rose pedals, to the soft sound of my cousins acoustic guitar. Seeing Erik’s face while I approached was priceless.

The ceremony…

There were definitely some unforgettable moments. Emily marring us, the reciting of our vows.  Elissa and Mariana both doing readings. Exchanging rings, and my fingers swelling from the hot summer sun, so my ring wouldn’t go on. Our kiss. 

Reception…

Sangria and tapas were passed around in the grove. Erik and I entered the barn and were announced husband and wife. These we enjoyed Paella paired with my Aunt’s wine in the barn which was transformed, lit up with warm romantic twinkle lights. We laughed and cried during my sister’s toast. 

Erik and I sneeking away for photos in the vineyard. Exploring the whole ranch for our photoshoot. Capturing a priceless moment of the lamas and me – exchanging a kiss.

Eat cake…

I will never forget my perfect turquoise and red cake! The sweet taste of lemon and vanilla. I remember having to have my uncle and cousin transfer our cake from the barn to the court yard. Our fingers were crossed hoping it wouldn’t fall. I remember not knowing how to cut the cake. Finally making a tiny triangle piece, we fed eachother.  

Dance like no one is watching…
I remember our first dance. Everyone staring awkwardly. Jackie cried. 

I remember everyone hitting the dance floor hard. My family sure loves a good dance party. And for those who didn’t want to dance, it only took a little of Ibo’s homemade apple flavored moon shine. 

I remember dancing the night away.

There are so many great memories. The day is unforgettable. It is so hard to believe that this amazing day was two full years ago. 

On June 28th it was our 2 year wedding anniversary. 

Happy two years, Erik! I’ll never stop loving you. 

Note: The majority of photos were taken by Larsen’s photography. 

Please visit her website and read the beautiful article she wrote about our wedding day.