I thought I’d start with a coffee date type post before diving into some of the other things I want to blog about because it’s been so long!
We have had a crazy busy summer. As soon as Nick and I got vaccinated, we planned a road trip to Grand Junction, Moab, and Glenwood Springs. We did a big circle road trip and it was the most fun we’ve had since before the pandemic. I didn’t expect M to be such an amazing traveler since we didn’t do much traveling with her due to the pandemic, but she rocked the car, sleeping, being flexible …. I think she was just so excited to be basically outside all day every day, seeing new things …. outside of the house!
We took her to wineries and to her first restaurant since the pandemic … we just ordered a beer and a pretzel and sat outside and kept her in her stroller the entire time! We were so nervous about going out to eat for the first time for so many reasons so we kept it quick….. but that and everything about the trip was a success.
At night Nick and I would hang out and play games and drink wine and it really felt like we also got to connect and have time together. I didn’t really think that would happen on the trip so that was a really nice bonus. So many times during the week, we are cleaning at night or I am working on my Etsy shop and Nick is downstairs doing homework or work. So it was nice to reconnect.
I took M to New York, just the two of us. I really wanted to take her to New York before she turned 2 because she didn’t have to wear a mask on the plane. I’m so glad that I did because we can’t get her to wear a mask for even one second, so we won’t be able to fly any time soon. It’s frustrating but you really can’t make a toddler do anything they don’t want to do.
I’m so glad we came to New York and had that time with family and friends. M and I both got sick on the trip so we weren’t able to see as many people as we wanted, but I got to spend a lot of time with my parents and brother. My mom is the only one of us who didn’t get sick! Go mom.
Coming back deserves its own blog post ….. After waiting in the airport for 10 hours due to a delay, we ended up switching flights. M was a complete rockstar and only complained during the last 30 minutes of our second flight… which was 100% understandable as it was hours after her bedtime.
I am constantly amazed at her. She is so flexible and forgiving and loving, even when I do things like make her wait in the airport all day and get on two planes at bedtime. I’m thankful for her.
During the summer, we took the trailer out on a bunch of long weekend camping trips. We went to the Rocky Mountains for M’s birthday and went to a bunch of state parks on random long weekends. We also went to Breckenridge with Nick’s family, but not in the trailer!
We finished the summer with a trip to Yellowstone. M did amazingly on that trip too. She got really into hiking and seeing all of the geysers. I love that she is my travel buddy already.
Now we’re home and doing all of the Fall things. We took her to a pumpkin patch the other day and I want to take her to a couple more before Fall is over. I found out that I am the kind of mom who loves crafts so we’ve been doing lots of Fall crafts too.
I’m feeling really blah about living here, still, almost a year later. I guess I should save that for another post but like, I’ve never heard anyone say a single negative thing about Colorado before I moved here. But the weather and altitude suck, it’s so dry here that I am constantly chugging water and my skin actually hurts… and it’s just too far from my family.
I got super lucky and made a friend through the Peanut app, which is basically tinder for moms. You make a profile and if you both swipe on each other, you can talk to her. My new friend invited me to her mom’s group which has been the best thing that’s happened to us since we got here. People will just post where they are going with their kids so you can join if you can, and they do nights out just for the moms! We usually just go to a park and hang out but I think this week we’re going to try eating outdoors at a restaurant and see how it feels. I’m really excited for M and I to have some friends. Most of the moms in the group are from other places so I think everyone is looking for friendship and connection, especially since covid has made it so hard to meet people.
I’ll be back soon!! What do you want to hear about?
XOXO
Wooo glad to see you back on the blog 🙂 I also took an accidental break from blogging and you helped inspire me to sit down and write. I’d love to read more about your experience in Colorado. I think too often we glamorize travel/moving/life on the internet and it’s helpful to read the realities.
So happy to see this update! You guys are all-star travelers! Go M!! We have a flight to Tampa next month and I’m a little nervous. We flew with her at 2 months but we haven’t since then. My bff is coming with us so fingers crossed it goes well!
I LOVE how much time you guys are spending together! With Nick having been deployed so much I bet it feels so good to have this time as a family!
Can’t wait to see more from you! <3
Looks like a you really had a great weekend with you family! Great to see that!