Fitness Challenge, Days 3-5

Hey! If you're interested in how this fitness challenge I participated in played out, give these videos a watch. I ended up only filming days 1-5, and then took a break from vlogging until the last day, day 10. I'll be posting that video soon. I'm thinking of making a more formal video about what I learned about myself during the challenge, how I feel physically/emotionally, future goals, etc.

Traveling with a one year old

Whoa!! I almost forgot to post this video before the new year.
Here is a video of some tidbits from our trip to Oregon in October. I realized that I never shared my crazy traveling experience from Oregon back home here on the blog. So... continue to read if you love drama.

I was very nervous traveling solo with Gwen. I was convinced that I'd get lost in the airport and that she would just be difficult on all the flights. I got butterflies in my stomach whenever I would think about it. Well, the trip to Portland from Phoenix was a breeze, despite Gwen being fussy on the first flight. The other passengers didn't act too bothered by it. And let me tell you something- people are extra nice to you when you're flying solo with a baby. This was my experience, anyway. Someone always offered to carry my bags. It was the best. Despite my Ergobaby carrier breaking after our first flight (that was so annoying and Gwen got pretty heavy as I carried her and two bags around the airport), I felt confident after a good day of travel.

We had a fun time in Portland, as you can tell in the video. :) The day we left, we had to wake up around 4:30am. (Ew.) Holly kindly let me borrow her Ergobaby carrier for the trip home, which was greatly appreciated! We boarded the plane and Gwen fell asleep (yay!). We were in the air for maybe half an hour when we started to feel some turbulence. And then the TVs started to flash on and off. The pilot announced that the right right engine was "not responding" and that we'd have to turn back to Portland. I was more annoyed than scared at this point. This meant that I'd miss my connecting flight! We got back to the airport in safety and the crew gave us complimentary breakfast sandwiches and other snacks. So that was nice.... I called Ryan and Holly to say what was up. I made a call to get a new flight, but it was hours away. I had to wait around 5 hours in the airport with Gwen for our next flight. If you're stuck alone with a one year old in an airport here's a tip- find one of those flat escalator things and walk along it for as long as you can. We must have walked like 30 laps on those things. It was especially entertaining to see Gwen walk the opposite direction on one of them. That gave some people a few laughs.

After what seemed like an eternity, our plane was finally here!

And then they made an announcement that there was some maintenance to be done and the flight would be delayed by 30 minutes.

Which meant that I'd miss another connecting flight and not be home until 11pm.

I didn't not hide my frustration around the other waiting passengers. While I was on the phone making new arrangements, the people around me were entertaining Gwen! See? Some people are angels. I decided to leave the next day because I've had enough of airports and planes for one day. I called Holly again and she made the drive back to the airport to rescue me! I bought them all dinner and we ate from a burger place that had an amazing veggie burger and good sweet potato fries. We also got pumpkin shakes. I cannot remember the name of the place! Someone help me out? We ended up staying an extra day in Portland, but it was probably my favorite day of the trip because we all just chilled since we didn't have any plans.
I hope to visit again!

My 23rd Birthday

My birthday was last Tuesday and it was a swell day! I slept in, had chocolate chip waffles, went on a little picnic with my sister, and had sushi with husby and some friends.

The weather was really nice too, which made me super happy. It was an ideal autumn day. 

This year, Ryan requested that I come with him to shop for my birthday present. He knew that he wanted to buy me a black cardigan (I've been complaining that I needed a plain black cardigan for some time now...), but he also knows how particular I am with clothing and he didn't want to pick out the wrong thing. So we went shopping on Monday night and I picked up this cardigan at Target. I also got new pajama pants from Old Navy. (They're so warm and comfy!) I think we should make it a tradition go together to pick out my birthday presents from now on. It's so much easier on the both of us: Ryan doesn't have to stress out about what to get me and I don't have to be nervous about what he decides to pick out! haha. 

Dinner: 

So. The funniest thing happened at the sushi restaurant. We had all finished eating and were just chatting for a bit. Our friends, Tara and Matt, have a really cute baby. I mean look at her!

Actually, this gif doesn't really show how adorable she is. If you want to see her true cuteness, check out these photos. I DIGRESS. Anyway, Matt was sitting with Kyra on his lap when the sushi chef decides to come over to talk to us. (To give you a good picture of the chef, he's on the older side and I belief that english if his second language.) He asks Matt how old their baby is, and before he can answer, the chef snatches Kyra out of Matt's arms. 

And then he just hugged her.

For like, two minutes straight. 

I could see the panic in Tara's face...

 ...and how she was ready to run after the chef if he had decided to kidnap that ball of cuteness. 

But seriously. He couldn't resist holding her. He had a huge smile on his face the whole time too, so that was pretty adorable. He was holding her for a long time, but not long enough for me to take a photo! Tara and I both grabbed our cameras at the same time, but that's when the chef had decided that he had had his baby fix and he handed her back to Matt. Bummer! 

After dinner we went to get frozen custard. Then my sister-in-law came to visit for a bit. Then I went over to Holly's to watch Moonrise Kingdom. So yes, it was a great day. 

I only wish that I would have gotten a photo of Ryan and I. He had really spoiled me that day :) 

Thanks, Sugar. 

Trees, Voting, and Getting Lost

So I found a gloriously yellow tree as I was driving home from voting today. It's the most autumn-y tree I've seen so far. We've still got a LOT of green around these parts, so you can imagine my excitement when I drove past this beauty of a tree. 

And yes! I voted! 

I felt pretty empowered on my drive to and from the voting center. Kinda silly, but it was exciting! It wasn't my first time voting, but it feels a lot different this time around, I guess. I'm excited/nervous to see the results. BUT, I'm even more excited for all political stuff to die down a bit. Facebook has become unbearable! 

In other news... 

I went to see The Perks of Being a Wallflower last night with my buddy from work. We have been waiting for it to come to our city, but it never came. So we decided to go see it in El Paso, Texas, about an hour from where we live. What. A. Disaster.  Adventure! We got a bit lost on the way there. We ended up driving along the U.S. / Mexico border... It was quite frightening, considering the drug war that's been happening. We even passed by a sign stating: "Do not pick up hitchhikers." Fun stuff. We finally got to the theater and watched the glorious movie! I criiiiiiied. So many feels! Ugh, so good. I'd go see it again if I didn't have to drive another couple of hours. 

So afterwards, we got some IHOP, drove along, and then got off the highway by accident (don't ask) and got lost again. We were driving along in downton El Paso... and got pulled over for driving the wrong way on a one-way street. Kind of humiliating.... While the cop was asking my friend questions, I sat in the passenger seat, giggling and making light jokes. Ya know, to lighten the mood! The cop then asked if I had been drinking. Nice. "Oh! I don't drink!" I promptly shut my mouth. 

I feel bad that my friend has to appear in court, but we had a fun drive back once we found our way again (with help from the cop). Turns out we both love to sing along to Disney songs and other musicals. Friendship: made. 

dress: thrifted, cardigan & leggings: gifted, belt: F21, shoes: Target