... that Jas is America's Next Top Model?

ANOTHER clothing company saw the posts of Jas on Sprout San Francisco's Instagram and once again I got a text asking if Jas would model! Can you believe it??? Of course you can, she is the most beautiful baby in the world! The Copper Pearl has the cutest bibs, blankets, towels, and sheets and their photographer was so nice! Even when I creepily stood behind her and took pics of her taking pics of my daughter.

Just in case those weren't professional enough for you:

I cannot even handle how perfect she is! Thanks Copper Pearl and Emmy Lowe Photography!

Love my Jas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

... that we went to Dallas: Day 2

 The next day, Matt went back to his conference, and I asked the shuttle driver for a new adventure. This time they took me up to a small shopping center called West Village where I grabbed some brunch at a cute little Thai place.

This Thai bananas foster French toast with coconut syrup was really amazing!  Then Jas and I wandered around for several hours of great window shopping!

I ended up riding the free trolley around Dallas for like an hour because Jas fell asleep and also I was EXHAUSTED. Eventually it took me back to Klyde Warren Park, where I planned on meeting the shuttle to pick me up again... and that's when things got a little crazy. The shuttle didn't show up, and when I called them again, they said they couldn't make it to me and I should call a cab. I tried to call Matt, but he wasn't answering. I tried to download the Uber app on my phone and then my phone just shut off and would not turn back on. I tried to go into the museum to warm up a little bit and figure out what to do next... and they had just closed. So I was stranded at the park in the cold with no phone and no way to get home. I started to panic a little, then I decided I just needed someone to help me get a cab. So I walked into a nice restaurant with my stroller, explained that my phone had died, and asked the very nice hostess if she could help me get a cab. And she called one for me right away! The cab was there in minutes and I was on my way back to the hotel. Looking back, it wasn't that scary, but at the time, I was a little frazzled haha. And I wasn't the only one... by the time I got back, Matt had seen my missed calls and was wondering if I was okay since I wasn't answering my phone anymore. After a few minutes to collect ourselves, we jumped in an Uber to the best BBQ place Yelp could suggest:

We waited a good hour I think before we could even order, and they ran out of sliced brisket and beef ribs before we got to the front. But everything else that we got was pretty good! Chopped brisket, pork ribs, sausage, mac and cheese, a super loaded sweet potato that Matt couldn't resist, and even tried some fried okra? Not too shabby!

After two days of nonstop walking around in the cold, I was pretty worn out and not feeling too hot. So we grabbed an Uber back to the hotel and crashed again. The next morning, we had some time to kill, so after we checked out of the hotel we walked across the street and had a post-anniversary breakfast celebration... at Denny's. Matt and I actually used to go to Denny's a lot when we were dating, and we hadn't been in a long time. Anyway, we had a nice breakfast before we headed to the airport. Actually, I had a nice breakfast, and Matt had a nice time on his phone learning the ways of Instagram.

The flight home was fine. Jas did NOT want to fall asleep, but she eventually gave up (thank goodness the flight attendants didn't mind me rocking her to sleep in their tiny prep space for 20 minutes) and gave us a little peace. We were all pretty exhausted, but we had a fun weekend getaway in a new place and overall had a pretty good time!

Thanks for a fun trip Dallas!

... that we went to Dallas: Day 1

About a week and a half after we got home, Matt had to go to Dallas for a conference, and he invited me and Jas to go with him! I was surprised he wanted us to come, he gets stressed about work stuff easily. But Jas is so easy, and it WAS our anniversary weekend, so I didn't ask twice! I was a little nervous to be flying with Jas, and we were taking a red eye flight out there, and I just didn't want her to be cranky on the plane...

I will never stop unnecessarily worrying about this baby and also will never cease to sing her praises when she exceeds all of my wildest expectations. Other than a few stray kicks to the sweet lady trying to sleep next to me, this little angel was great on the plane! She doesn't really like to be held while she's sleeping, but once she fell asleep, she was perfect. She is the best baby that ever lived.

Matt had to be in his conference all day Friday and Saturday, so I was left to my own devices! I asked the airport shuttle driver to take me somewhere fun with food, and he did not let me down! He dropped me off at Klyde Warren Park which was so cute and just happened to have a mess of food trucks lining the street. Perfect!

Braised beef and mac n' cheese slider and lime tater tots. Not too shabby! There was a light drizzle, so Jas and I huddled under a canopy in the middle of the park while we ate until it let up a little, then we walked across the street to the Dallas Museum of Art.

I love museums! Jas took a little nap while I wandered around and we had a great time! After a few hours, I decided to walk around the neighborhood a little more and found... another museum

Turns out I was in the middle of the Art District of Dallas. Fine by me! I wandered around this museum for a while and then decided to explore the streets some more. 

I went into the Chase Tower and tried to to up to the observation deck, but they wouldn't let me. By that time, the conference was over for the day, so I headed back to the hotel to meet Matt and grab some food! Our hotel just happened to be across the street from the winner of the 2015 DFW.com Battle of the Burgers, a place called The Rodeo Goat. 

I know. It's a horrible name for a restaurant. But we ate there. And it was pretty dang good.

We barely made it half way through that giant plate of cheese fries and I made Matt get a burger with caramelized onions and peaches on it??? Crazy! It was pretty good food, although Matt wasn't really a fan of my salted caramel and pretzel milkshake. We limped back to our hotel room and went to bed exhausted.

... that we stayed for the New Year!

The next day was New Year's Eve! We ran a few errands, I got addicted to The Room on dad's iPad, Matt bought me some new tires after he discovered that my tires were basically bald and we wouldn't make it home, we ate the rest of the du pong,

And basically hung out and relaxed most of the day. Dad wasn't feeling too well so he went to bed early, but we introduced Mom to Italian sodas and played rummikub with her until after midnight

So it was a party indeed. We went to church with them again the next day

And then the Rexes came over for a little wrestling time that night.

We drove home all day on Monday so we could be back to work on Tuesday, but it was worth it to spend so much time at home!!! Even if we came home to this:

The mess that I had left behind in my effort to get on the road + 10 days of luggage + the aftermath of Christmas apparently exploding in my living room. I'm pretty sure it was at least a week before we got this mess all cleaned up, but that's what happens when we're both working full time! We needed a vacation to clean up from our vacation.

I miss home! We'll be back soon!

... THAT WE WENT TO HARRY POTTER WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

One of the greatest days of my life.

Matt had promised me we could go to Harry Potter World as part of my Mother's Day present this year, and we finally got to go! Mom took care of Jas for the day, and we had the BEST time!!!!!!!!! It was a tiny bit drizzly, but that kept the crowds down to a tolerable stampede and it was mostly perfect! First we went to Olivander's and I picked out a wand

Which I definitely waved at all of the magical spots in the park after waiting in line with lots of small children. And I wasn't even embarrassed. And I didn't even get mad when Matt made fun of me and then asked if he could hold it and made me take his picture too.



Finally it was time to try my first butterbeer

This is the most delicious thing in the world. Oh my gosh, it is like heaven in a cup. I savored that sweet nectar while we waited in line for the Hippogriff ride

Then took a quick break for lunch at the Three Broomsticks. Their fish and chips were surprisingly good! And we had our second butterbeer of the day, this time hot. Just as delicious! Although I've decided frozen is my favorite (Matt disagrees).

After that we jumped in line for the Forbidden Journey ride. It was the longest line of the day, but it was one of my favorite parts cause it takes you all through the whole Hogwarts castle and I was totally geeking out the whole time.

We made quick runs through all the rest of the shops in Hogsmead while sipping butterbeer #3

Then we ventured out of Harry Potter World into the rest of the park for two things and two things only: the Fast and Furious ride on the Studio Tour, and The Mummy ride.

By the end of the day, I was so exhausted and my feet hurt so bad I could barely walk. But I somehow found the strength to walk back to the Hog's Head for butterbeer #4 and a quick pic with Mr. Conductor.

Such a great day. I loved everything in the park and all the attention to detail in all of the rides and shops. Matt kept laughing at me whenever I would point out little things from the books, like Hagrid's bike or the floating candles in the castle. But I seriously loved every minute of it and couldn't stop giggling the entire time!

On our way out, we stopped at Blaze on Universal City Walk and got a delicious pizza to split, and it was the perfect ending to a perfect day. 

We got home not too late, woke Jas up for a quick bottle and a snuggle, then put her back to bed. I was so grateful Mom watched her for us, but I missed her! Totally worth it though, because

I LOVE HARRY POTTER WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!