A First Time French Dip and A Trip to Mexico - February 2015

Written on February 25, 2015

It's getting ready to snow outside. Well…it has been snowing. I should say we are getting ready to be snowed in. Meanwhile, my sister is heading to Mexico. Yes, Mexico. There she will bask in the warm sunshine and spend time with her daughter as they plan Alex's wedding, and explore the city. So as she is on her way out of town she asks what I am doing - I am quickly putting a rump roast in the crock pot - the only thing I know how to use well in the kitchen aside from my bunt pan - before Baby H wakes up to eat. French Dip. It is my first attempt at making French Dip in the Crock Pot. Over the phone we discuss many things: our husbands, her plan for the trip, the baby's sleep patterns, and the continuing issues that only she seems to have with her phone. Threaded through this conversation she throws in her expertise - soy sauce for flavor, better butter the meat. Cook on high. But the recipe says low - I say.  Okay, so cook on low and then the last hour - cook on high. Do you have cheese? Get some cheese.  You see - my sister is the expert cook. She can whip it all up - pot roast, salad, dip, mashed potatoes, and the only thing that got me through pregnancy - egg salad.  You name it - her cupboards are stocked full of the ingredients, and there is always something simmering in her Le Cruset on the stove. Her house smells delicious. She smells delicious. Anyone who has had Jodie's cooking always wonders when she is hosting the next event - from a big Thanksgiving to a Tuesday night meal after work for family. So I listen to her orders very carefully - because she knows best - and I have had her French Dips. They are amazing.

We wanted to start this blog over a year ago. And we did. But then life happened: Samantha graduated, Race moved to Texas, I got married - at her house - which may or may not have taken years off of her life, and then - I had a baby (and subsequently enlisted my sister as the go to expert on all things strollers, baby showers and nursery bedding). At the end of December we welcomed Baby H. In true fashion of those that love food - Jodie made meatballs the night I went into labor. When I cried over having to stay in the NICU for a week - she made steak and brought it to the hospital. When we finally came home in the middle of a snowstorm - she stocked our fridge with chicken, soup, and casseroles. We THOUGHT that 2015 would be much more calm - time to eat at our favorite spots in Des Moines. Time to walk the baby, get our hair done, and visit. Per usual - we were wrong. 2015 is already busier than any other we have had so far - lots of weddings, lots of travel, and lots of time with family. So why no document our journey starting… now.

Today the journey begins with A First Time French Dip, an Iowa Snow Storm, and a Trip to Mexico. Here. We. Go.

Harlan's Palm Springs Adventure

Harlan's Palm Springs Adventure - Autumn 2015

Palm Springs in the Evening

 This has been a week of many firsts for you Mr. H. It was your first trip to California, your first trip to a
desert, your first trip to a State Park. Consequently, the night before we left for California you were diagnosed with your first ear infection, which made your Dad and I nervous for you to fly - especially as this was our first family vacation. We have traveled with you before. We have traveled together before as well. However, this was our first time traveling just the three of us, with no family or friends waiting for us on the other end.

You liked watching the ducks at our resort.

Eating a cookie & relaxing after a swim.

Per usual for your personality, flying with you was a dream. We woke up early to head to Des Moines for our flight - and you had slept all night. You were fascinated by Dad unloading the bags, you watched intently as we checked in, and you smiled your contagious grin as we went through security. I gave you a little bit of Motrin for you ears, per the pediatrician's recommendation, before the flight. You nursed contently, laughed at the other passengers and then conked out for a great nap. Repeat this same pattern for our 2nd flight from Phoenix to Palm Springs - you watched, nursed, observed some more, and dosed for a nap until we reached our hotel.

We have arrived at the Palm Springs Airport with Dad

Dressed for dinner on the patio

You love our hotel villa - you have free reign to crawl and explore, and your hedgehog car goes REALLY fast on the tile floor - which tickles you greatly. Once we arrived and settled in - we explored the resort and you napped in the stroller, and hung out with us as we ate dinner. Ironically, the song that Uncle John sang for our wedding - Come To Me - played as we were eating dinner, and we took that as a great sign to begin our first family vacation. That evening you and I got in the jacuzzi bathtub. You weren't entirely sure of the bubble jets at first, but after looking to me for reassurance you thought they were fun. Harlan, even with flying all day long - with interruptions to various naps - an ear infection and a new place - you went to bed and slept all night long. Your Dad and I were tired too. You went to bed at 6:00 California time (8:00 Iowa Time - your bedtime) and your Dad and I were asleep on the couch by 6:30. We were excited for time to rest.


On Thursday we visited the San Jacinto State Park and took the 8000 foot tram ride to the top. The view was absolutely breathtaking - it was almost 100 degrees in the desert, and at the top of the mountain it was a cool 72. You slept soundly in the Boba Wrap as your Dad and I enjoyed the view, walked the trail and ate some food. When you were awake, of course, you smiled for everyone that said "hello."

Mom & Harlan at the pool in Palm Springs

Swimming with you at the pool was a treat because you loved the warm water, and watching all of the people. Your Dad joked that everyone would know we were first time parents because I had long sleeves on you and a hat in the water. It's true - I was nervous about the intense desert sun on your soft and fair skin. When we went swimming Friday afternoon, you fell asleep in my arms, in the water. We got out of the water, laid you down in the shade for a snooze and ate lunch while you napped. Whether in Ames or Palm Springs, you love the water. 











When I was pregnant with you, I couldn't picture you as a teacher, or a doctor, or a nurse, or even an IT
professional like your Dad. I could picture you as an explorer, or a scientist, or someone working for the efforts of others.   You are the most content when you are moving - in the car, in the water, on the plane. You are happy to meet other people and study your surroundings - I imagine that these traits will follow you through life. I could be wrong - after all this is my first time as a Mom - so no pressure. However, I do know that traveling with you is a treat and still the most fun we have ever had. I would imagine that as you grow - it will continue to be so.

Looking cool in California

Where: Palm Springs, California
When: October 2015
Who:
 A Gift for our wedding - A Westin Villa in Rancho Mirage, CA
What: A vacation with Dan, Brooke and Harlan
Activities: Swimming, Crawling, Walking along the mountains, watching the ducks, the Tram, Jacuzzi Bubble Baths and eating outside.
Highlights: A visit to a National Park, swimming by the pool, chicken fingers, a desert heat wave, Uber and our first family vacation.