So a few weeks ago, we went to the local airport to take some pictures for a dress review next to our friends’ plane. Of course, when there are pictures involved, we (read: I) never stop at just what we planned, we usually come back with about 600 more shots than necessary, but I love that because they all tell a story and create amazing memories. I know one thing: this is one of the best documented pregnancies and babies known to mankind lol.
You might have seen some of the shots taken by the plane in the Shabby Apple Giveaway post, and they were along these lines:
But I never posted the photos of what went on after that.
So after we got the dress shots out of the way, we did a little family photoshoot with our friends Michelle, Ryan and their daughter Heleena, that I will post on Selfie Magic as soon as I get a little more time to work on them. Then, the boys we ready to take off. Now, they are used to flying all the time (and wouldn’t you, if you owned a plane?), but because I am super careful about Alexis and this pregnancy, we weren’t sure whether it was a smart idea to take a ride for me. I’d never been in a small plane, so I didn’t know if there would be too much pressure that would make Alexis uncomfortable or if I’d be afraid and stressed out. Normally I’d be super scared of flying in a small plane – I once flew over the Alps in a Helicopter and that was a bit terrifying, so we didn’t want any stress for Lexy. For the time being, we had decided that Andrew would go first and see how it felt and then we’d go from there.
Andrew’s dad used to own a small plane when they lived in Puerto Rico and as a little boy he’d always been fascinated with planes. They used to fly to St Thomas, Culebra, St John’s and surrounding islands and he still fondly tells me about his memories. So Michelle and I stayed on the ground while the boys took off. To be honest, the second I saw that plane take off, all the fear disappeared and all I wanted to do is be on that plane.
{Grey Dress by Shabby Apple, Two’s Company maternity line}
Meanwhile, with nothing better to do, we set up the tripod and took some ridiculous pictures of our growing bellies. I was at 25 weeks and Michelle was at 11 weeks, I think. We did the “goofy face belly bump”.
Once that got old, we went ahead and took a few pictures of Heleena, who was having way too much fun in her stroller! It’s crazy to think that just one week later, we were back at that air field and this little girl was already walking. It’s amazing how fast kids grow. So believe me when I say: There’s going to be a LOT of pictures of Alexis when she arrives. That’s the only thing that keeps the memories alive.
Soon the boys landed- my husband all disheveled and excited. He loved it and was happy to report that the ride was 100% comfortable, no pressure or too many G-forces and that he would fully support me going for a ride ( he’s more conservative when it comes to Alexis’s safety and our pregnancy than I am, so that was good enough for me). It was settled then that next week we’d go out for another ride, this time all together!
And of course, we couldn’t leave without a few group pictures. 
So fast forward to next week, we were out there again and I was ready to catch some wind. I called shot-gun, b/c it was my first time. Normally I would NOT feel safe flying in a small plane, mostly because owners of small planes tend to have gotten their pilots licenses to fly these personal planes and might not have much experience. However, in our case, Ryan is an actual commercial pilot, so I was confident that if he is entrusted thousands of lives on daily basis and flies a much bigger, much more complex plane all the time, with hours and hours of school and experience, then I’ll be fine in a plane piloted by him.
{below: “What’s kicking ” Tshirt by 2Chix Maternity. You can win one in the current giveaway}
In reality, it was just soooo cool watching him fly it. It blows my mind that people know how to fly planes. I know in theory it isn’t as hard as it seems (aerodynamics and all that good stuff), but looking at all the buttons and taking off and then coasting over the ocean, I just can’t believe that we can get a big piece of metal in the air with just 1 propeller. It was such a different experience looking at our town from the air. We flew over the high school Alexis will eventually go to (on the right), passed up the little master-planned religious community next us with a massive church, a cute town center and a Law University (on the left)
A few other communities and a million of golf courses and man-made lakes. Our area is beautiful as it is, but it’s breathtaking from the air.
We passed our community (bottom photo), but we were facing the wrong direction and the setting sun made it difficult to take photos. So Ryan turned the plane around to take better pictures, which was a little bit terrifying for me hahahaha
But that turn did give us a much better view of our community and our house. It almost looked like early Midwestern fall with the setting sun, but it couldn’t be farther from the truth. On the ground, it is very lush and green and tropical.
Soon we reached the Gulf of Mexico and it was glorious ( if you don’t count the time when we had to turn around over the water to head back- yikes!). The beach is my favorite place and living near the gulf is a dream come true for me – it’s as awesome as one can imagine and I hope that I never ever take it for granted! In about 2-3 months, when I am no longer pregnant, you will get a much better look at what living in Florida is like and I’ll get to share it with you in every photograph and post I write.
On the way back I was “forced” to co-pilot. He literally let go of the yoke (I had no idea that’s what you call that thing) and let the plane shift a bit to the side until he got me to grab the co-piloting yoke and even the plane out. I sat there with my knuckles white on the steering wheel, trying my best to keep the plane even ( and not to freak out too much). It felt like I was really moving the yoke and I was not happy with the responsibility. Granted, hindsight being 20/20 , the changes I was making in the plane’s trajectory were more in seconds and inches, but to me it felt like it was hours and miles. Next time ( if I’m ever in the co-piloting seat), I try to not be such a chicken and actually turn the yoke a bit more than 1/10 of an inch
And that is all! Hope you’re having a wonderful week and link up your Photo Share Posts below.
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GORGEOUS pics…as usual!! 😀
You seriously do have the best documented pregnancy ever – I’m taking notes for when it’s my turn! Love this session.
Is that the bumbleride queen b stroller?? And if so do you know if she loves it? I want to order it online (there isn’t a shop in Colorado that sells them but I don’t know anyone that has one to see if they love it!!)
It’s not the queen b one. I think this is flite. But either way my friend swears by bumbleride. She has the jogging one too.
I guess I’m told the one in the photo IS the jogging one: Indie.
k thanks!
That’s def the best documented pregnancy ever 🙂
And that’s exactly why everyone feels so involved 🙂
Nice view!
wow! How fun!! I wish I could fly a plane! That would be just so fun!
I LOVE THESE Elena!!!! That green shirt is too cute & I so wish I had a friend who was expecting at the same time as I was- would have been so much fun.
Love the pics, great views.
awesome shots!
I love this post!!!!!!! (and you) 😉
And I hate that I don’t see you around anymore 🙁
Beautiful Photos, Elena, and good for you for going flying! Florida looks so pretty!
YES! I completely agree that photos are the only thing that keeps the memories alive. I always have my camera in my one-year-old’s face and he gets annoyed with me. I just wish that I could take as beautiful pictures as you.. you are so talented!
These pics are awesome! Just found your blog and watched the baby gender video – best way to find out ever! : )
AAaaaww thank you 🙂 We had so much fun! You have an adorable family too!
Great photos Elena! I agree, you can never have too many pictures documenting your baby! It all does change so fast. I’ve had to devise a whole new system for photo storing on my computer, because I have an embarrassing amount and more and more keep coming. 🙂
You’re brave to fly…I don’t think I could ever ride in a small plane! I didn’t realize you lived so close to so much water! Do you ever get big water birds at the ponds, like egrets?
Yeah we have the Gulf of Mexico and a million canals all around us… It’s pretty nice- I love water. We do get egrets here all the time, less often in the communities, but definitely more in the wooded areas with canals and marshes.
How does standing besides planes and going up in the air fit into your not leaving the house/bubble plan?
We never had the “not leaving the house” plan. We had the “avoid as many germs and harmful substances as possible” plan. We were always planning on getting out as long as Alexis isn’t exposed to germs, cigarette smoke, etc
Flying isn’t any more harmful than driving, so we’re good so far.
Quote not edited in any way
“… I will still go for walks daily, and to the beach and to the parks, but I will try to avoid any places with large crowds, or small spaces with people, or anywhere where I can be exposed to smoke. (…) And then weekends will be spent relaxing at the beach and doing things that we always do. But I won’t be going out, or going boating or anything like that while I am pregnant”
Read the part I edited in your comment. “keeping me home for 9 months” isn’t meant literally.
Do your legs/feet hurt?
Clarify the question.