Our trip was for our 5th anniversary. So hit play and listen to this song. It was sung at our wedding. It can be the soundtrack for this post about our trip.
I filled in a lot of things from my phone in previous blog posts. I also haven't gotten the pictures off the camera yet. Why? I don't know. Probably because we haven't unpacked the camera.
So our trip started insanely early Thursday morning. We left the house at 4am. Check in and security weren't that bad. We had everything organized and bagged properly so we could take out items that they had to inspect easily. We did have to fold down each stroller and put them on the conveyor and all that so it wasn't exactly easy. I didn't wear a belt and I wore flip flops intentionally so I could just step right out of my shoes. There also wasn't much of a line so we didn't feel too much pressure. I should just say that in situations like this, Justin and I mostly work well together. He gets all flustered and tense because he hates crowds, our children acting crazy, and all together being out of control of the situation, which nothing about airport security says control. I generally don't care too much and am like what? what are you going to do? haven't you ever seen people go through security before? So my job is generally to just read the signs and direct calmly so Justin can just follow and work on controlling his rage that all the swarming people are causing.
So we get in line to board the plane. We have to fold down the strollers again. So we have the carry ons strapped to us (backpacks and whatnot) and are each carrying a child and dragging a stroller. I take about ten people out with the junk in the trunk, since the aisles are so wide. Either way, we get all settled. Ava thinks take off is cool. Rhys falls asleep, Ava falls asleep, and the ride was peaceful. When Ava wakes up she just listens to music with her headphones. Rhys wakes up and is all smiley. We actually get compliments when we land about how well behaved our kids are. The strollers take forever to be brought to us so we have about 20 minutes before we board the next plane and it is on the other side of the airport. (LAX) So we pretty much just run. Rhys needs his diaper changed but we don't have time. Our second plane is a tiny little plane that we have to go outside to board. Ava walks super slow because she is unsure of the whole situation. Justin is carrying both strollers and I have Rhys and all of the carry ons. We must have looked like crazy people. Rhys is soggy and is kind of leaking on me for the 2nd flight but we aren't in the air long enough to ever get up. Ava sleeps again and all in all besides getting on and off the plane which always sucks, it is a good trip. We have an insanely long wait at the car rental place and Rhys gets a sunburn on his head. Justin's about poops when he sees that we have a 2009 Charger to drive around for the week. We get to the hotel and it is lovely. We get all situated and realize we have been upgraded even more to a better room than originally planned and have a balcony and a great view. Ava and I go swimming. We order room service and are done for the day.
When we get up and all dressed, we go to the Einstein Bagels that is on the deck to Mission Bay by our hotel. Have good food and coffee, and then head out to Sea World, which was really 10 minutes away from our hotel. Ava liked it and asked to touch the dolphins. We had a great time especially since the park isn't that crowded. It was cool enough to wear a sweatshirt most of the time, but we still both managed to get some sun. Ava ends up being afraid of all the dark exhibits, so that kind of sucked.
Second day was my favorite I think. We just drove out to La Jolla and walked around. It was just relaxing and beautiful. See previous post.
Third day was the Wild Animal Park, kind of lame. Cool I guess, but not really worth a day on the trip. Maybe it would have been better on a Tuesday or something when it isn't so crowded. It is a pretty cool situation though. We then went to a little beach by our hotel. It was a cool day but the water was definitely warm enough to walk through the water. Ava walked around after getting scared. She had fun chucking sand into the water. Nobody was around so I didn't care at all that she was throwing sand.
Like the different writing styles? I have been writing this post over the course of a week.
We went to Old Town for the morning before we went home. It was ok, but not very exciting. I think we were just watching the clock for the time to leave. We went to the little beach again when the two kids had fallen asleep in the car. I got to read a book "on the beach" when we parked and opened the car windows while they napped. I could at least feel the breeze.
The flight home was a little rough. Ava was very fidgety and whiny for the first half and had a total meltdown during the lay over. She slept the entire second flight. We should never fly in the evening. Rhys did fine and slept pretty much the entire time.
Favorite things about the trip:
Ava singing on the balcony.
Cuddling with Ava and Rhys on the balcony, wrapped in a blanket, while Justin was still sleeping. We just watched the water.
Rhys swimming for the first time.
Rhys peeing down the leg of his pants onto my crotch so it looked like I was the one who peed. (not really a favorite thing, but funny)
Rhys yelling on the animal tour until Ava would look at him.
Rhys laughing at the wind in his face on the wild animal tour.
Ava wanting to watch turtles that didn't move for like 15 minutes.
Feeding the seals.
Eating room service on the floor of the hotel room.
Ava eating a sea shell after thinking it was candy and then Justin telling her to stop whining and to swallow it. He thought it was candy too.
Watching the sea lions swim in the ocean on La Jolla beach.
Rhys and Ava getting to put their feet in the sand and the ocean for the first time.
Watching Ava look for shells with Justin.
Watching Ava's little chicken legs walk along the beach.
Ava asking me if I wanted to go see the gorilla hands with her. We had already seen it but I wasn't holding her at the time, so in her mind I didn't see it.
The tide pools in La Jolla.
The guacamole at that Cocina place where we had dinner.
Ava and Rhys in matching swim suits.
I am sure there are a lot more favorite moments, but they just won't get listed in the blog post about vacation.
I think people can get bogged down in the hassle and little details about traveling with kids. Like the inconvenience makes it not worth the hassle. It was a little difficult for about 10 minutes of each flight, getting through security and stuff like that. Other than that, all good stuff. Totally worth it to just have days to spend together, experience things together, and get away from all the business and distractions of every day life. No chores, no bills, no obligations. Just family time.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Part 2
I just wrote this whole thing and accidentally deleted it! That picture was of rose petals from a wedding that was here yesterday. It was so elegant and simple. So beautiful. Ava's favorite part so
far has been the beach. Sh keeps asking to go back on vacation and play in the sand. We did go have dinner in coronado last night. The town was amazing. You have to take this giant bridge to get
there. Every house is cute. It is all very spanish looking. The downtown area is super fancy but not too crowded even on a saturday night. We ate at miguel's Cocina. Justin had some sort of squid
steak. The guacomole was the best. Everything is just so fresh here, it is hard to be bad. For all i know we ate at a chain instead of something fun and new but oh well it was good. Ava fell asleep
and was done for the night which was goodbsince we had pretty much been waiting for her to go to bed so we could sleep every night so far. Today is the wild animal park and maybe more beach.
far has been the beach. Sh keeps asking to go back on vacation and play in the sand. We did go have dinner in coronado last night. The town was amazing. You have to take this giant bridge to get
there. Every house is cute. It is all very spanish looking. The downtown area is super fancy but not too crowded even on a saturday night. We ate at miguel's Cocina. Justin had some sort of squid
steak. The guacomole was the best. Everything is just so fresh here, it is hard to be bad. For all i know we ate at a chain instead of something fun and new but oh well it was good. Ava fell asleep
and was done for the night which was goodbsince we had pretty much been waiting for her to go to bed so we could sleep every night so far. Today is the wild animal park and maybe more beach.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Touristy day part 1
Today has been a day of whatever. We got up and had breakfast on th dock again. It was a very cool surprise to see sea lions out on another dock. Then we headed out to la jolla to see tide pools. We
didn't see tons of creatures but we found a few. Ava was afraid of the crashing waves so she was kind of a party pooper. The view was amazing. We saw sea lions swimming and sunning themselves. It is
way cooler to see them in their natural environment than in the zoo. We walked on down to the beach. Ava loved it there and Rhys even liked his toes in the sand. Justin wasn't a huge fan so he was the
party pooper there. We headed back to the hotel and found a near by restaurant that served fresh fish. I am not a fish fan but i liked it. We all headed down to the pool for a while. It is currently
nap time for the boys. I think we are going exploring to find something for dinner.
didn't see tons of creatures but we found a few. Ava was afraid of the crashing waves so she was kind of a party pooper. The view was amazing. We saw sea lions swimming and sunning themselves. It is
way cooler to see them in their natural environment than in the zoo. We walked on down to the beach. Ava loved it there and Rhys even liked his toes in the sand. Justin wasn't a huge fan so he was the
party pooper there. We headed back to the hotel and found a near by restaurant that served fresh fish. I am not a fish fan but i liked it. We all headed down to the pool for a while. It is currently
nap time for the boys. I think we are going exploring to find something for dinner.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Sea World
The kiddies slept in extremely late this morning. 10 am our time. Clearly leaving for the airport at 4am had an effect. We got dressed and had breakfast on the dock. We pretty much figured out that
we will never be able to afford this vacation again because we got such a strange and amazing deal. We had to make a stop at Target because we forgot Ava's shoes at home. On to sea world. Pretty
much people are a lot nicer here than at home. And taller. It must be all the sun. Sea world is really family friendly. They have excelllent exhibits and you have access to all the shows so you
really feel like you are getting your moneys worth. Ava did really well. She loves seeing any type of animal. Rhys just hung out. He did like walking through the shark exhibit tube. You are under
the water there. I think the wild animal park will be a huge success with Ava. Ok this has taken forever to write on my phone. Off to drink wine on th balcony.
we will never be able to afford this vacation again because we got such a strange and amazing deal. We had to make a stop at Target because we forgot Ava's shoes at home. On to sea world. Pretty
much people are a lot nicer here than at home. And taller. It must be all the sun. Sea world is really family friendly. They have excelllent exhibits and you have access to all the shows so you
really feel like you are getting your moneys worth. Ava did really well. She loves seeing any type of animal. Rhys just hung out. He did like walking through the shark exhibit tube. You are under
the water there. I think the wild animal park will be a huge success with Ava. Ok this has taken forever to write on my phone. Off to drink wine on th balcony.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
PictureMail
We have finally checked in and the clouds have moved. Not sure what the plans are but right now we are just lounging in the garden of sorts and enjoying the atmosphere. I think that I will definitely
have to sit with a book at some point.
have to sit with a book at some point.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
4 months
Rhys had his 4 month appointment today. He was actually 4 months old 5 days ago, but that is just a detail. We had things to do that day, like going to the zoo.
He is healthy and weighing in at 15 pounds 7 ounces. He is 24 and a smidge inches long and has a 44.5 cm head circumference. He has gained 4 pounds and grew one inch in the last two months. His percentiles are as follows:
Length = between percentile 10 and 25
Weight = between percentile 25 and 50
Head Circumference = between percentile 75 and 90
His length percentile had dropped a lot originally and we remeasured him and got that smidge (1/4 of an inch) to make the percentile chart look nicer.
We leave for vacation in about 8 hours. Pretty much everything is packed or at least laid out to be packed. I had lofty goals of having all the laundry folded and put away and stuff like that before leaving but it isn't going to happen. I just don't have the motivation. I got half of it done and that is good for me.
He is healthy and weighing in at 15 pounds 7 ounces. He is 24 and a smidge inches long and has a 44.5 cm head circumference. He has gained 4 pounds and grew one inch in the last two months. His percentiles are as follows:
Length = between percentile 10 and 25
Weight = between percentile 25 and 50
Head Circumference = between percentile 75 and 90
His length percentile had dropped a lot originally and we remeasured him and got that smidge (1/4 of an inch) to make the percentile chart look nicer.
We leave for vacation in about 8 hours. Pretty much everything is packed or at least laid out to be packed. I had lofty goals of having all the laundry folded and put away and stuff like that before leaving but it isn't going to happen. I just don't have the motivation. I got half of it done and that is good for me.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
milestones
Rhys rolled from his front to back in the pack-n-play. I am not sure how soon that will happen again, since he was scrunching up to get a toot out and was slightly off center (since the hanging part in the pack-n-play isn't totally flat)and his big chubby butt fell to the side and rolled him. I don't think it was intentional. I know he is strong enough and has been for a week or so, he just doesn't have the coordination to figure it out. He is still reeling from being able to almost always put his thumb in his mouth.
About an hour later, after the bath, I had him on my bed and turned around to get a diaper. I turn back and he had rolled form his back to his belly. He seemed pretty stunned and wasn't sure what he was doing there. Again, he wasn't totally flat. He was slightly propped up on a the comforter. Either way, he is not to be trusted. He will roll away at any time.
About an hour later, after the bath, I had him on my bed and turned around to get a diaper. I turn back and he had rolled form his back to his belly. He seemed pretty stunned and wasn't sure what he was doing there. Again, he wasn't totally flat. He was slightly propped up on a the comforter. Either way, he is not to be trusted. He will roll away at any time.
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