Trip to Utah

Rachel and I went on a little plane ride when she was 26 days old.


And I was about as nervous as she looks in this picture.

I didn't know how she would do on the plane with "ear pressure", crying, and anything else that could make for a long trip with a baby.

I was also scared about the fact that I would be doing this alone because when it comes to navigating, I'm a "follower".  So the thought of getting dropped off at the curb of the the Delta terminal and relying on nobody else but me to get to all of the places I needed to go in the big huge Boston airport was a bit scary.

But, it turned out easy peasy.

And when I got to my gate, I sat next to a super friendly couple with a seven month old baby.  They were so nice and complimentary of the baby, it was almost like I knew them, they were just so warm and easy to talk to.  

In fact, once I boarded the plane and was watching the other people board, I was amazed at just how friendly everybody was.  And not just to me, but to each other.  I was surrounded by some of the most charismatic, kind and outgoing personalities I've ever seen, and in such a confined space! 

Then I quickly learned that I was on a plane full of Boston Marathon runners and their family and friend cheerleaders.  They were heading home after the big (and hot) run.  

I've never seen so much under armor in my life.

Yup, even that nice young couple with the baby.

So two things were seemingly confirmed to me:

1.  Westerners really are more open and friendly than us New Englanders.  (Sad, but we do have a reputation of being "closed" and reclusive people.)

2.  Endorphins really do make you happy.  Seriously, this was an unusually happy/friendly bunch.  So the whole exercise-produces-endorphins fact was totally validated as far as I'm concerned.  

I think I would have felt a little intimidated by all these power house athletes, but the fact that just three and half weeks earlier I pushed an entire human being out of my body made me feel comfortably among them.

But regardless, I was so grateful to be flying a mile off the ground with so many great personalities from all different walks (or runs) of life ;)

And to boot, I sat next to a mom and her 20 year old daughter, who were cheerleaders for their husband and dad marathon runner.  Could this possibly be more ideal?  They had no problem with me nursing right next to them, or holding the baby so I could get up when I needed to, and I was so thankful for that!

So why was I flying with such a young baby 3.5 weeks postpartum? 

Well, not to sound cliche or anything, but it was all because two people fell in love :)

Yup, my dad went ahead and fell in love with this fabulous woman, Bertha, whom we all love, and I was so grateful to meet.

I was happy my dad got to meet his newest granddaughter too. (and doesn't he look great!)

My sister planned my trip for me which was so nice and made everything so easy.  (Thanks Kim!)

I had so much fun with she and her family.

Check out my beautiful nieces, Mirium and Liesl:

And I loved seeing my brother Michael.

He loved Rachel too.

I was also psyched to see my brother Josh and sister in law Tausha:

I got to see my aunt Julie, who has lost 36 pounds since the last time I saw her!  Doesn't she look great?

I also got to see my uncle Reese, which is always so fun!

I love Rachel's little face looking up at him.

My sister in law Elizabeth (Rachel's middle namesake) stole me away to take me to lunch and hang out for a bit, and it was so much fun!

Her twins (Simeon and Ciel) came too, and I loved seeing them.

Then came time for the wedding!

And it was a beautiful ceremony.

They looked so happy.

And I got to see two of my great lifelong friends, Kaycee and Lindsey.  I seriously wished I could have stayed out there longer to see more of them.

I also got to see my grandma Jerree, who I love so much.

It was such a great trip.  Short but oh so sweet.

The flight home I sat next to another very nice and accommodating mother/daughter combo, which if you ask me was an obvious blessing and a half!

Because seriously, what are the chances of that happening twice?

And Rachel did awesome.  

No crying.

No painful ears.

Just 5.5 hours of snuggle time with my precious newborn.