Damian & Katerina = How To [vil-helm] #112

Hello our Vilhelmians! Get ready for an update on Alyce's big trip to Europe, where she'll meet her grandparents and explore new places. We're excited to share our family's adventure as we navigate traveling with a toddler who has extra needs, and we can't wait to see Alyce interact with her European family. Meanwhile, back home, our charming French bulldogs, Boujee and Dapper, will be holding down the fort, exploring their domain, and enjoying their new wagon, all while waiting for our return.

Tiny Tales from Alyce's Weekly Wonders

Tiny Tales from Alyce's Weekly Wonders Tiny Tales from Alyce's Weekly Wonders Hi there! It's me, Alyce, your 15-month-old explorer! I've been so busy getting ready for my big trip that I almost forgot to tell you more about all the exciting things happening! Mom has been packing and making sure we have everything we need for the journey. She keeps checking the list over and over, making sure nothing is forgotten. I see her looking at pictures of the places we're going and talking about all the fun things we'll do. I think she's excited, even though she looks a little tired and stressed because she didn't really tell anyone that we were coming, surrrrpriiiiise! Dad keeps saying he's not sure about traveling with a toddler, but I know he's just being silly. We're going to have so much fun together! Every day, Mom and Dad teach me new words. They read books with me, point to pictures, and say the names of things. Sometimes, I say a word and look at them, waiting for them to say it back. It's fun learning all these new sounds! I can't wait to see all the new things in Europe. Mom showed me pictures of castles, and I pointed and said, "Wow!" She laughed and said we'll see some real ones soon. I also hear there are beaches, and I love playing with sand. Maybe I'll find seashells and build sandcastles. I'm excited to meet other kids. Mom says there are playgrounds, where I can play with children my age. But I am mostly excited to see Charlie and Tete again! Every night, Mom tells me how many days are left until we leave. I don't really get the whole "counting" thing, but I like hearing her say, "Tomorrow is one day closer!" It makes me feel excited and happy. So, as you can see, there's a lot happening as we get ready for our big adventure. Mom and Dad are doing their best to make sure everything goes smoothly, and I know we're going to have a wonderful time exploring new places, meeting new friends, and making lots of happy memories. Talk to you soon, from Europe! With love, Alyce 💕

Adventure Awaits! Our Europe Trip (and Toddler Travel Tips Needed!)

Adventure Awaits! Our Europe Trip (and Toddler Travel Tips Needed!) Adventure Awaits! Our Europe Trip (and Toddler Travel Tips Needed!) Hey Vilhelmians! Get ready for this week's update – it's a big one! We're buzzing with excitement (and maybe a little bit of pre-travel panic) because our long-awaited trip to Europe to visit family with our amazing little Alyce is just around the corner! As many of you know, Alyce has been an absolute superstar navigating her early health challenges. We're overjoyed that she's doing so much better, and the moment we've dreamed of is finally here: it's time for Alyce to meet the European side of her family and Kat’s friends! Her wonderful grandparents have visited us here, but now it's our turn to pack our bags and introduce her to everyone across the pond. Okay, confession time: the thought of flying internationally with a toddler is... daunting! What's even wilder is how fast this trip has arrived. It feels like just yesterday (back in December!) we were saying, "Oh, Europe in April? That's ages away!" Famous last words. Time seems to operate at warp speed when you're juggling toddler-proofing, work, and booking international flights. Now April is here, and we're just days away from boarding! Adding to the fun, Alyce has fully embraced her inner 16-month-old CEO. Everything is a point-and-demand situation, and woe betide us if we don't produce the exact desired item immediately – cue the mini-meltdown! It's wild, especially since she's not even technically a full-fledged toddler yet. We can only imagine what the future holds! As we've shared, Alyce still has some swallowing difficulties, meaning our carry-on essentials include oxygen and suctioning equipment. Traveling with a child who has extra needs definitely adds another layer – more paperwork, more gear, more planning. Are we feeling 100% ready? Not even close! But honestly, is anyone ever truly prepared for an adventure like this? We've been consuming travel-with-toddler content like it's our job, and the consensus seems to be: survival mode. Forget consistent screen time limits; our new mantra is "screens are friends." Perfectly balanced meals? Ha! We're packing enough snacks to feed a small army, and if fish-shaped crackers buy us 15 minutes of peace, we'll take it. The expert advice boils down to: keep them happy and quiet (within reason!), sleep when they sleep (unlikely on a plane or did we hit the jackpot?), and hope the passengers around us have noise-canceling headphones and a good sense of humour. Cabin pressure, unfamiliar noises, preventing attempts to befriend the emergency exit door – it's all part of the ride! Amidst the chaos, there's still so much genuine excitement! We absolutely cannot wait to see Alyce interact with her grandparents, extended family, and cousins – those connections are so special. We're also dreaming of some relaxation (however fleeting!) and looking forward to discovering a new place. I've been captivated by photos of the Czech Republic, especially those stunning drone shots of castles! Seriously, what was going on back then? A medieval real estate boom? Intense neighbourly disputes? We can't wait to explore a few. Plus, we anticipate plenty of hiking – supposedly to burn off toddler energy, but we suspect it's Gramma Hanna's clever way of keeping us all active! This is guaranteed to be our most unique vacation ever. Wish us luck! Okay, seasoned parent travelers, we need you! If you have any golden tips for flying internationally for the first time with a toddler (especially one with a few extra needs), please hit reply to this newsletter email or share them in the comments! We'll take any and all advice – bonus points for tips on keeping up with an energetic grandma on hiking trails! We'll be sure to share updates from our European escapade! Best, Damian & Katerinas

Woof Woof! 🐾

Woof Woof! 🐾 Woof Woof! 🐾 Bonjour, les amis! It's us, Boujee and Dapper, your ever-charming French bulldogs, bringing you the latest from our little corner of the world. Lately, there's been a flurry of activity around here that's got our tails wagging and our noses twitching. Our dads and Kat have been dashing about like chickens without heads (whatever that means), and Alyce has been outfitted with these curious travel earphones. But the pièce de résistance? A new wagon! Not just any wagon, mind you, but the same one we already adore, only BIGGER! Twice as big, in fact! Now, this isn't just any ordinary wagon; it's our royal chariot! Dapper insists on sitting by Alyce, ever the loyal companion, while I, Boujee, naturally claim the title of queen and take my rightful place in the carriage. Ooooh Lord, it's simply fabuleux! We've taken it for a spin, and let us tell you, the wind in our ears, the sun on our snouts—it's the life! With the family off gallivanting in Europe (lucky them!), we've decided to seize the day and explore every nook and cranny of our domain. I've, Boujee, already staked my claim on Alyce's playpen, transforming it into my personal palace. Dapper, ever the explorer, has his sights set on the loft—a vast expanse with not one, but two beds. What a cozy spot! It's our time to reign supreme! We'll miss you dearly, our beloved family. But fear not! We'll greet you with wagging tails and slobbery kisses upon your return. In the meantime, we'll shower Auntie Sheryl with all the love and attention she can handle. After all, a Frenchie's love knows no bounds! So, until our humans return, we'll continue to rule our little kingdom, making the most of every moment. And when they come back, they'll find us happy, and perhaps a bit spoiled (but can you blame us?). Au revoir for now, and remember: when in doubt, always travel in style! Boujee & Dapper ❤️