Palm trees, clear water, snorkeling...

Dad and I are off to a wonderful vacation in Maui, Hawaii for 7 days! You will be staying with both of your Grandma's while we are gone (i.e. Lita & Nanny- no "grandma" for you!) We are very excited for our paradise trip but know it will be hard to be away for 7 days without you. While you will not notice our absence, except maybe at our return, we will know of yours.

We hope you have a wonderful time being loved and cared for :)

A first, but not a last

You attended your first Angel's™ baseball game with us tonight. Originally we had bought our seats way in the top, but called Uncle Trevor who was attending the same game with his girlfriend, Emily; whom we eventually migrated to and watched the game with. Of course, as you showed up in your Angel™ attire, they were super excited to see you and help your dad and I through the game (which honestly, was easy).

Above:

Here is you as you neared your very first wave

Notice your Uncle Trevor's anticipation in the background.

It still amazes me how you can take 50,000 people who all come from different backgrounds, styles, opinions, thought processes and yet at this single moment in a baseball stadium they can all collect to do one unitary wave that goes all around the stadium, with most not missing a beat, and hearts in unison to create something all together. At that single moment each person is thinking the same thing, waiting for their turn to jump up and flail their arms in the air without the concern of looking weird or abnormal.

Like most junctions, you ended the night as such

SeaWORLD!!

Yesterday, Friday April 11th we woke up pretty early; had a very busy morning getting all of our things together, making sure everything we needed was in tow, slipped out the door about 30 minutes past schedule, scooped up your cousin Griffin, and headed to SeaWorld for your very first time. Periodically through this day he would amuse us with his "Conversations with a 3 year old" as his mother calls it; which we will document in here for you both.

You began the trip as you do most days, with a long nap after breakfast- which really worked out for us today because it's not a short drive. You began smiling in your sleep, when your cousin chimes in:
*Griffin: "MIMI! She'ss smiiiling in her sleep"
Mimi: "Oh, she is? Do you think she is dreaming?"
Griffin: "I donno"
Mimi: "Do you dream?", I ask him
Griffin: [slightly puzzled] "No, How DO you DO it!?"

I laugh and explain and find his innocence so wonderful; pondering whether he does and if so, maybe he just didn't know what it was, or what to call it.

The drive goes on and we hit NO traffic what so ever (so awesome) and arrive at SeaWorld!!

You're asleep when we visit the Sea Lions, which we do to pass some time before our first show ( So here is one of the other two):


By this time, you're awake and smiling as we head off to the Seamore and Clyde's Risky Rescue Show. You give out some smiles and coos but let us know it's time to eat:



Sorry about the sun!! I moved my head back after the picture, I swear!

We arrive at our next show: Shamu


Again, you're sleeping but here is Daddy and cousin Griffin enjoying the show:


and my awesome photography of the whale if I say so myself!:


However, after the show you decided to wake up for photos with Griff:


We then headed to see the polar bears, baluga whale, walrus, etc.





The loud polar bear noises towards the end made Griffin walk through just like this:


Griffin decided to push his own seat around for a while:

He proclaimed. "MIMI! Look i'm doing it all by myself!" which we assured him how awesome that was; while he hit a curb or two =P

We visited the flamingos, bat rays, eels, star fish:

(sorry babe, you were sleeping, AGAIN)

However, our next stop you were awake. Dad took Griffin to the bathroom to poop because we needed to cool off. It was SOOO hot and with you against me in your bjorn and long sleeve and pants because I didn't want you to burn; Daddy had to take this one for mom.
Later, when Dad came back he shared yet another "CONVERSATION with a 3 year old"
* While sitting on the potty, he looks up and asks "PEEZ! Why is my weiner getting bigger" with a sigh

He is a crack up.
I laughed when they returned with the story, and thought your dad did a pretty good job of explaining it "because you grow, so everything grows" Good Job Dad! I would have laughed.

It was time to feed the fish to the dolphins! We bought 6 fish, and got to interact, touch, and feed one. It was the first time i've ever felt one, and it was your first time for all of it. Cousin Griffin threw one in her mouth too!
Here is our beauty:


All in all, it was a very awesome, HOT day, but full of lasting memories for your father and I, and for Griffin (as he cannot stop talking about the eels since we made such a fuss about how weird they looked).

You both knocked out on the way home, except for when you demanded dinner in the middle of our drive home. =) Gladly, you slept like a baby from there on out.

I love you all so much; thank you for spending the day with me :)

We need a re-match!

First, HAPPY 25TH BIRTHDAY TO DAD!

Sunday:


We went to dinner with Lita, Buzz, Darryl, Great Grandma & Grandpa, Mitch, and Michelle at Champs. It was really good and your dad enjoyed it. We made him open his snorkel set for Hawaii in the restaurant; which he was secretly embarassed about =X.

After dinner, Lita let you play at her house with the new bug floor mat & toys she got for you while we went out for a little bit. You seemed to really like it, and now you will get tons of tummy time with her:



Monday:
We all got up real early (which has become usual), and headed out for breakfast, did some boring errands, and then went to the mall after we took your pops to work. I decided to try the baby bjorn™ for the first time. The doctor said 2 months, or 10 lbs; and you finally made it to the weight requirement. At first, you were like "What! the HECK" as your cousin Griffin would explain it; but by the end your arms and legs were all limp and dangled to my pace as you slept away.


Today:
Again, you went and spent time with Lita; it's a good thing she really loves you because it helps mom out; and dad too since he got to skate today!
Tonight, you stayed with Nanny & Poppy while I treated him to Olive Garden & a game of miniature golf. We had a $20 bet and he beat me by 5 strokes. Dad decided he wanted an Angels™ hat, so I will be contributing to that on Friday I believe.

Love You both ♥

No Fair!

Today was a very hard day for me; it was your first set of shots (2 months) which included 5 shots in your legs and one oral liquid dose for Polio. While I realize that you need all of them, I just can't find my place of 100% "okay-ness" because while i'm still protecting you by vaccinating you against these diseases, I am still the one who has to just sit there and let them poke you with a needle 5 times while you look at me with screaming, tearful eyes that just don't understand.

Shots pulled me in two different directions and feelings; like i'm sure it does most moms. I found absolutely no comfort when I asked the doctor if they could be spread out; and he sadly and shortly gave me the N O conclusion; which I still don't understand.

Well, here is the proof for today =(
It began with a dose of baby Tylenol ™ (grape), which to this day has been the only other flavor you've had besides breastmilk. You made a funky face wondering what this new wonderful taste was, swallowing it with enjoyment.

Before it all:



Little did you know that "mean" nurse who just walked in would be your least favorite friend of the day; which you let her know quite quickly:

Before the shot:



AFTER =(


How can that picture NOT make you sad or feel your pain. I did. I know Dad did. As far as the nurse, I don't know how she does it everyday.

I did however ask her if it would be weird to take your picture; and she said that yesterday someone video recorded theirs; so I didn't feel so bad!

P.S. You're 9 weeks old, 10 lbs, 22 1/2 inches

I love you. I'm sorry. I guess we do this to you because we love you; it's just one of those parenthood things.