Just buzzing by on Cloud Nine because we had the very best weekend. Not only was it Joey’s first Father’s Day, but we took our little Dempsey on his first vacation! Just a weekend trip to Santa Fe with my family but it was great weather, amazing food, a laidback mood and just a perfect baby, who rolled with the punches and tolerated a combined 14 hours in the car, sleeping someplace other than his crib, sitting in restaurants and being awake for much longer stretches than usual. Help, I love him so much! It was also really nice to have my family there, meaning extra hands to hold Dempsey and babysitters for when Joey and I wanted to sneak out for a mid-day drink. What a perfect trip! We drove back home on Saturday so we still had a whole day off at home and if that’s not the best, I don’t know what is! I got to spend Father’s Day morning with my parents while Joey was out golfing and then we all got to hang out that afternoon and show off our little man at a Father’s Day gathering at his dad and Lorna’s. Did I mention it was a good weekend??

We hit the road around 10:30 on Thursday and stopped in Pueblo for lunch. Not the most glamorous of Southern Colorado cities, but since our fabrication shop is down there, Joey is pretty familiar with the area and was able to guide us to a good spot for lunch. We ordered take out and sat at a picnic table in what felt like sweltering heat but it was nice to refuel and stretch our legs, plus Dempsey seemed entertained by the water fountain in front of us and only grabbed for my food about 100 times 😂 After lunch and a backseat breastfeeding session — we were both so hot!!! — I moved to the front seat and Demps fell immediately to sleep for almost two hours 🙌 We were hoping he’d take one more cat nap before we got into Santa Fe but no such luck.

We drove straight to Maria’s to meet my family for dinner and margs and so Dempsey could cuddle right up to Grandma ❤ Our wait was so much longer than quoted — 20 minutes vs AN HOUR — but once we were finally sat, it was pretty perfect. Santa Fe restaurants are still not at 100% capacity, so we were one of two tables out on their back patio and it was so nice having the (quiet) space basically to ourselves. I should’ve ordered the relleno instead of the flautas but that marg was so good and Dempsey, who had been awake like five hours at that point 😱😱😱 was as content as could be. Joey and I left early, so we could get that little boy to bed and he fell asleep so quick and easy, thank goodness! All of us sat out in the main living room area afterward and chatted before we all crashed into bed.

Would you look at that happy morning boy?! It’s been months since the three of us shared a room and we missed hearing him talk to himself when he wakes up in the morning ❤❤ We told everyone we’d be up early, so we’d just entertain ourselves and grab coffee but then everyone else was up and ready for coffee too, so we all went! We walked to the Mud Hut and while the girls got coffees for everyone, the boys were outside hanging. My dad told me his favorite part of the trip was sitting outside with his grandson on his lap, watching him play with something, so how sweet is that??

We all went back to our Airbnb so Demps could take a nap, but after he woke back up, we had breakfast (brunch?) at The Pantry, a family favorite! Look, it’s not fancy inside, but the food is very good. I’ve ordered the Buenos Dias every time I’ve been because if it’s not broke, don’t fix it, but my mom’s breakfast sandwich looked amazing and Joey said his was really good too. We maybe let Demps gum a piece of tortilla 😂 Toward the end of breakfast, he was looking tired again, but he persevered and went on a walk with my mom, sis, Wayne, Joey and I to Canyon Road. We stepped into a few shops and galleries and let him play with this water feature in a nice shady area before Joey and I took him back for another nap.

Joey and I were feeling like we were halfway into our vacation and hadn’t even made it downtown yet, so I coerced my parents into staying at the Airbnb while Dempsey slept and we walked over to La Fonda and grabbed four seats up on the Bell Tower. We ordered drinks and then my sis and Wayne met us and did the same. All four of us stopped into this fun shop they’re always telling me about called Doodlet’s and we got a little trinket to remember Dempsey’s first vacation by and my sis bought him a new book! We also walked around a pottery gallery that I really loved. Back at our place, Demps was taking a two hour nap, woo-hoo! He woke up shortly after 4 and we all cleaned ourselves up and went for dinner at Tomasita’s, which ended up being Joey and I’s favorite meal of the trip. I got some really good enchiladas and Joey got a stuffed sopapilla and I couldn’t stop stealing bites of the pork it was stuffed with! We booked it out of dinner and over to La Lecheria because I can’t go on vacation and not eat ice cream. I got red chile chip and OH MY GOSH, so good!!! Joey maybe let Dempsey have a teeny tiny taste of his vanilla but I think he was more excited about that tortilla from breakfast 😂 He put up a small but sad fight going to bed but I think he was hungry?? I fed him and he zonked out immediately. What a good baby!

One last morning in Santa Fe. It went too fast! Demps was up at 6 AM! Why?? We walked to the Mud Hut again for coffee then went back to pack up. Our room had a small hallway with a door and then the bathroom on the other side, so in order to access the room to pack up, we put Dempsey’s bassinet in that small hallway — it just barely fit — and he totally fell asleep in there 😂 Once he woke up, we headed over the the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market and man, do I love that market! So much produce — I snagged some BRIGHT RED cherries — and what I was really looking forward to… blue corn lavender donuts! We got breakfast burritos and a maple pecan donut as well and I think I liked that one even better than the lavender?? We wrangled everyone for one family photo (and one Father’s Day photo of my dad, sis, Demps and I) and then went our separate ways to drive back home. Demps took a good long nap and we finally made it home — even though we were at standstill traffic in Bailey because of something called Bailey Day?? — and immediately ordered take out that wasn’t a burrito or an enchilada 😋 Gave Dempsey dinner and a bath, then put him down for bed, unloaded our groceries, reheated our own dinner and ate it outside. Felt so nice and Ginger Pig hit the spot!

Okay, I know Sunday was FATHER’S Day but this mother had the best day too! Joey was up and out of the house early early and just when I thought I was going to have the bed to myself and sleep a little longer, I heard Dempsey awake in his room. I told him “fine, but you gotta lay here with me for a little bit at least!” We cuddled for a bit and then I decided it was nice outside and we missed our usual walk to the coffee shop, so we could make up for it! We strolled there and back then after I put Demps down for his nap, I roasted carrots (for a salad I was making later on), took a shower and ordered breakfast for my parents and I. They picked it up and we ate, just the three of us, in the backyard. Dempsey finally woke up later on and gave Grandpa his gift 😂😂 My parents hung around and entertained the baby so I could finish up my salad and I’m so thankful for them! Joey made it home just before 1 PM and when Dempsey woke up, he got to give Dad his first Father’s Day gifts. What a sweet moment ❤ We managed to leave the house by the time the party was starting and then showed up 45 minutes late… oops! In any case, my salad seemed to be a hit and I’m so glad! Plus we got to see lots of family and everyone who hasn’t already, got to meet Dempsey. It was so nice catching up with Joey’s cousin Chelsea who got engaged since we last saw her! Also, Joey and I shared the very last cannoli in the box of dessert and YUM 🤤 Remembered to take a four generation photo before we left and I love it so much!

Okay, one last matter of business. Dempsey turned eight months old yesterday!!!! I can’t even believe it. From about 6 1/2 months on has been just so fun and happy and enjoyable. All of the things that felt hard worked themselves out and it has felt pretty carefree in this current groove we’re in. I know he will be on the move soon so I am totally savoring these moments where I can plop him down and he’s content to sit and play with a toy or just the basket that all the toys are in 😂 I am so in love with him. I love when he wraps his arms around my neck and puts his open mouth on my face and makes these little squeals of delight. I love when he looks at Joey or his grandparents and breaks into a giant smile. I love the way he uses his little pointer finger and the way he zeros in on buttons, zippers, tags and any other small thing he sees. I love the little noises he makes and the way he wants to grab at all the flowers I show him. I cannot get enough. He is a wonder and he’s mine?! How’d I get so lucky?? I really love being his mom so much. Oh and did I mention he is suffering from some serious seasonal allergies — he can barely breath through his nose ☹ — and yet, he is still the happiest! If that’s not Joey’s temperament right there, I don’t know what is! Happy 8 Months, my love!

Wishing you all a Happy Monday and hope you had a good weekend!