Escaping Hurricane IRMA

 Madness Before The Storm

It started off as a typical hurricane warning that Florida gets often. But as Mother Nature took its course it grew into a category 5. Next thing you know the entire state is in a panic. Flight tickets are nearly impossible to get. Either because they are sold out or the price cost an arm and a leg. (My ticket one way to California was $1800.) The shelves at the grocery stores are empty, you can’t get by anywhere because theres crazy traffic. You can’t figure out if you are standing in line to get on the freeway or the line for the gas station. At one point people just parked their cars right next to the tanks and left. This was their way of claiming a spot for when more gas came. Everyone boarding up their windows, tying down outside furniture or breaking their backs bringing it inside. Many places were under mandatory evacuation. Every news channel you go on says “breaking news, Florida is going to be destroyed.”Everywhere you go people wishing you luck and saying “stay safe!” It was a week of complete madness before IRMAS arrival. Then there’s nothing left to do, but wait.

Leaving Florida

Michael and I thought about staying and we probably would if it weren’t for Luna. But both of us didn’t want to take that chance and feel guilty if anything were to happen. After hours on the phone Michael was finally able to find a flight for Luna and I. He decided to stay because he had an important meeting to attend. (Can you imagine my frustration?! There will be no damn building to hold a meeting if a catastrophic hurricane hits!!) Do you know how absolutely terrifying it is having to leave your stubborn husband behind. Not sure how severe the hurricane will be and the damage it will cause. Not to mention travel with your 7 month ALONE across country! Michael couldn’t even take us to the airport because he needed to save the gas in his car. The airport was an hour an a half away and with traffic who knows how long he would be stuck on the roads for. So he hired a driver for us. We said our goodbyes, and left. Luckily we got to the airport on time, in fact, we got there 3 hours earlier! Which was nice and all but that meant entertaining Luna for 3 hours making sure she didn’t go to sleep because I wanted her to do that on the flight. I also didn’t bring a stroller because I figured the Baby Bjorn carrier would be fine. Plus my parents have a stroller in California and I didn’t want to bring anything extra. (advice for moms out there, BRING THE DAMN STROLLER ANYWAY!) I can’t complain too much because Luna is the BEST baby ever. The entire 3 hours we waited to board our flight she was playing. Then the first flight to Texas she slept the ENTIRE TIME! Our second flight she slept for the most part and made the passengers fall in love with her smiles and giggles. Come on, what 7 month old baby do you know has a 14 hour travel day and doesn’t break down crying?! When we landed on one of the flights a lady who sat in front of us grabs her belongings from the compartment above and sees Luna shouting “OMG there was a baby behind me this entire time!? How was she so quite?!” Im telling you people were shocked at how good she was. I was starting to worry like “are they going to think I drugged my baby?!” Even though she was the easiest baby to travel with I still had a few hiccups here and there….

Some Problems I Ran Into

When I said I had Luna in a carrier did anyone wonder how I used the restroom?… you know how much skill is required to do your business while theres a baby attached to your chest? Using the airport restroom isn’t that bad because at least I can go into the bigger stall. But the restroom on the plane?! Now that was difficult!! I’m pretty sure I bumped Luna’s head on the ceiling a few times (maybe thats why she was so good! I knocked her out) hahahah kidding. Then the struggle of not being able to move for the entire time she slept on my lap because I was afraid any movement would wake her up. My legs were going NUMB, my bladder was about to pop. I even thought about wearing one of Luna’s diapers because I didn’t want to give myself a UTI or some sh*t like that from holding my pee in for too long. Then…..having to smell the delicious food and hearing everyone chomping away while I sat hungry because I couldn’t get my tray out to eat. Also, our flight from Florida didn’t take off on time because of the traffic that built up on the runway from the amount of planes going out. I was freaking out looking at the clock every second not knowing if we would make our connecting flight. Which by the way, Mike was also tracking us, and he realized we weren’t going to make. So he rebooked us on another flight. When we landed in Texas I was told that we actually DIDN’T miss the flight because it was delayed! I was so excited that everything worked out and I call Mike to check in letting him know we are on schedule. He says “ugh, crap. I already rebooked your flight because I didn’t think you were going to make it so you might not have a seat anymore!!!!! In that moment he was safer facing hurricane IRMA than facing me. “WHY WOULD YOU REBOOK IT WITHOUT KNOWING 100%?!” I yelled and hung up the phone. Started weaving in an out of  people trying to find customer service to make sure my seat was still available. I was not going to wait around for 5 hours to get on another flight because of my husbands mistake. (You know, I actually shouldn’t say mistake, because I know he meant well. But couldn’t he have checked the status of my connecting flight which he would then see got delayed?!) Anyway, after a few screams and tears my seat was given back to me and we were on our way to Sacramento California!!!

SURPRISING MY MOM & GRANDMA

I love surprising my mom so I told her I was flying in Friday, but really it was a Wednesday. My dad picked Luna and I up from the airport and my mom was under the impression that he was coming home from the grocery store….. Luna and I run in and she was speechless, literally. I couldn’t even understand what she was saying… Then the next day we drove over to my grandmas house. Call me evil, but I was on the phone with her pretending I was stuck in Florida and all flights were cancelled. I started hearing the sadness and worry in her voice so thats when I swung her door open and screamed SURPRISE!

The video below has little bits and clips of our good byes, Luna and I traveling, and the priceless reactions of my mom and grandma when they saw us show up unexpectedly.

Was Michael OK???

I’d like to thank every single person who reached out expressing their concerns and wishing him well. You guys are awesome and made me feel more at ease in such a scary time. It’s so crazy to me how many of you, not only in the states, but all around the world heard about this and my family came to your minds. Seriously, THANK YOU ALL!!!! I know hurricane IRMA left many helpless and I’m sorry to those who got effected by it. It’s so sad how disasters like this happen and we just have to deal with it the best we can =( Thankful for my family and friends who all supported each other and showed so much love.

Ever since I’ve gotten back I’ve been feeling under the weather, or maybe it’s because I’m homesick. I’m trying my best to get back on track with blogging and responding to emails so bare with me. 

Also, for those who follow my story, you remember me mentioning about the DERMA E? Well, I want to pick one girl to try it out with me! If I’m going to break out in hives so is someone else. LOL omg I’m totally kidding. This line is amazing and I’m so excited to try their brightening products!! Check out my next blog post in the “BEAUTY” section for details!