Thursday, November 17, 2011

Turtles, Lava, and Snorkeling

You know that old saying "Never wake a sleeping baby"? Well, I'm pretty sure that applies to toddlers also. But, after a 4 hr nap, getting up at 6 to eat dinner and hang out for a bit shouldn't have been the disaster it has become.

Aidenn decided 430 was wake up time this morning. Fortunately I was already up. This time is killing us. But, totally worth it.

We went to an awesome park that's right down the hill from my parent's house. We will definitely be frequenting it more often. A played on every single thing there and had so much fun. His favorite was the slide, but just recently he's started liking swinging.
Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos

After finally getting him to leave the park, we went to snorkel beach. Apparently, it's the crappiest beach area here, but the best underwater scenery.

Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos

The sand is a mixture of regular sand and broken up lava. All the black "rocks" are lava and super duper slippery. They make little tide pools along the water, which is great! Aidenn sat in the tide pool and filled his bucket with sand for hours!

Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos

I finally got him to get in and he loved it. So much different than this time last year when we were at the beach. He hated it then. But, these beaches really are so much different. The water is crystal clear. The water was so still so I didn't have to worry about the waves bothering him and scaring him. He jumped and played, went under, and blew bubbles.

Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos

We saw a couple of turtles in the water, which was just amazing. They swim right up to you and have no fear. At the end of the day, I finally showed A the turtle that had been hanging out on the beach the entire time we were there. Unfortunately, when they are out of the water, you have to stay 10+ feet away. So, we waited til the end of the day as to not keep him away from it all day. He was thrilled that the turtle was so close!

Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos

We ended our day with a smoothies from Jamba Juice and Aidenn was out. So, needless to say he was absolutely exhausted. And has now been crying since about 20 min after I woke him up. I guess we will be going back to bed!

More fun in the morning! :)

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Seriously amazing

So, my week has beed a little hectic and needless to say I've gotten behind on my thankful posts, so we will move on to a vacay update.

Hawaii is amazing. It's actually nothing like I imagined. But, amazing nonetheless. We traveled all day yesterday. Aidenn was surprisingly fantastic to travel with. We got to the airport at 6:45 am and he played for a bit. We left for Atlanta at 830 and he fell asleep during takeoff.

I woke him up in Atlanta and we ran through the airport. I had enough time to get his diaper changed and eat a Cliff bar before getting on the next plane. We sat next to this super cut old lady on her way to Cali to visit the grandkids. A played the entire 5 hrs to LAX. He was the entertainment of the plane and had a great time. He was absolutely amazed with the tvs in the seats. He ate pretzels, kicked back, and made a 5 hr flight look like nothing. When we got to LAX, he made a friend that chased him around the entire terminal. We quickly got his diaper changed and had a snack and got on our next plane. The last 6 hrs of our trip.

Word of advice: I love Delta, but would absolutely not recommend them from LA to Kona. Teeny tiny plane that is super overcrowded. A's new friend sat across from us and literally screamed the whole way. The dad just put on his headphones and watched Californication. Luckily, A fell asleep and was out for the first 3 hours of the flight.

I loved that after each flight I got great compliments on how well behaved he is. How sweet he is. How smart he is. How beautiful he is. It makes for one proud mama.

Aidenn was so happy to see my parents. They had a lei for me and a flower for him. He loved it and literally smelled it until he passed out in the car.

Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos

We ended up going to bed pretty early since they are 6 hrs behind here and we had a very busy day. I was surprised that A slept til 630, but it was nice.

Day 1 of our trip was amazing! We played on the porch this morning. Here is the view:

Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos

Supposedly, today is not normal and usually it's much clearer. But, it's still pretty breathtaking. We took the dogs to the fruit stand and got breakfast at Lava Java. Then spent the day at the Hilton. The pools there are amazing. They are absolutely freezing, but so much fun. We played at the beach pool. It's a kiddie pool filled with sand that connects to the regular pool. The regular pool had three different sections, waterfalls, slides, 3 hot tubs, and more. And this is just one of the pools at the hotel.
Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos
A loved the beach pool, so we spent the majority of the day filling buckets with sand, putting sand on the turtles, and jumping.

Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos

So far, I've learned:
1. A rainy day doesn't actually mean that it's going to rain. It just means it's not clear out. And this is only the 2nd time in 7 months it's been cloudy.
2. Graffiti isn't spraypainted on walls. People use white rocks on the lava to draw pics, write messages, and more.
Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos
3. Ruths Chris is totally overpriced, but great when you eat for free. I'm pretty sure we will eat there a couple times.
4. Aidenn likes island time. He was up at 630, napped at 1030, and in bed at 7.
5. You can get anything you want for free, as long as you know the right people. We have daypasses to all of the top rated resorts because my dad likes to network. He is also getting us tickets to a couple luau's and passes to the volcano.
6. Hawaii, or at least The Big Island, looks nothing like I imagined. It's all lava pits that turn into amazing resorts that are world renowned. It is beautiful. It feels like you are on another planet.

That's it for now. But, will definitely continue to update about this amazing trip that we are so lucky to be on. Now to go snuggle with my sweet boy.

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Day 13 {my home}

It might not be much. A 1-bedroom apartment can get really crowded really quickly with a toddler hanging around. But, I'm thankful that I'm not living on the street somewhere.

I can't wait to get the big beautiful house of my dreams. With the perfectly landscaped yard. The white picket fence. The columned doorway. The brick driveway big enough to turn around in. The master bedroom on the main floor. The nursery connected to the master so that it's easier to take care of baby.

But, until then, I will pretend that my teeny tiny 1-bedroom apartment is all that and more and be thankful for what I do have.

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Day 12 {dark rooms}

I have had a migraine all day. And my migraines are pretty awful. Throwing up with movement, light, sound, or the threat of all of the above. So, it's pretty hard to take care of a 1 year old while it's going on. Of course, it started to back off earlier, so I decided to try to clean. Not a good idea. The cleaner made it come on even stronger than before.

So tonight, as A drinks his milk and watches Yo Gabba Gabba, I'm extremely thankful for my very dark room. Hopefully I will feel better in the morning.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Day 11 {Our Troops}

My Papa was in the army. My brother is in the Coast Guard. My step sister is in the Coast Guard. I love this country and am so thankful for my family that helps to keep our freedoms.

Today, on Veteran's Day, we celebrate the freedoms we are allowed because of the troops that fight for our freedoms every day. A veteran is anyone that signed that paper saying they are willing to give their life so I can live mine. It doesn't matter how long they have served, the fact that they served was enough.

I am so thankful for our troops.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Day 10 {Pumpkin}

Anyone that knows me knows that I'm not terribly fond of this time of year. I don't like cold weather. I despise snow when I have to be out in it. I don't care about the leaves changing colors. I hate the fact that it's light out in the mornings and I can't sleep in.

The best thing about Fall has got to be pumpkin. Coffee, pie, muffins, bread, donuts, and everything else. It is one of my favorite things ever. Even in an iced coffee (3 pumps with skim milk and sugar please), it has a warming feeling that overcomes me. The smell of pumpkin makes me want to sit in front of a fire in super warm pjs all day long. I'm in love with pumpkin.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Day 9 {sleeping in}

It seems like a lot of my posts are about sleeping. But, really, I think it's just because I'm thankful when I actually get it since usually we are not good sleepers over here.

Last night, Aidenn finally went to bed at 1130. Yes, my 1 year old is out of control. I put him in his crib for the first time in weeks because I had to try to get some rest myself last night. I finally went to bed at 1 and knew I'd be regretting it this am. When I finally fell asleep, it was even later. Around 3, A is standing up in his crib screaming. So, I get up and let him get in the bed with me. Yet another hour to go back to sleep.

But, luckily, he decided to sleep in today. Usually he is up between 6 and 7. That makes for rough days. But, he slept until a little after 9 this morning and that makes all the difference in the world.

So thankful for sleeping in when I can!

Day 8 {Mommy Friends}

I forgot to hit post yesterday, so you get this a day late :)

My mommy friends have proven to be an amazing group of women over and over again. From finding babysitters, to job searches, to needing someone to talk to at 3 am, to needing a coffee date, to carpooling, to nights out uptown, to anything else you can think of I know I can call any one of them and they will be there. I have made such an amazing group of friends since having A and I don't know what I'd do without them.

It's hard to be one of the first in your group of friends to have a child. Everything changes. And, more often than not, you get left out of a lot of things. To find such an amazing group of mommies that realize that having a child doesn't mean your life is over has been an amazing blessing!

Monday, November 7, 2011

Day 7 {Play Group}

Mondays are play group days. I love Mondays. We get to hang out with our friends and get out of the house. Play group is my sanity sometimes. It allows me to relax a little. To not have to watch him every second because he is so good when he is with his friends.

There are 7 one year olds in our play group. Aidenn is the oldest. He loves his friends.

We went to the park today and they played close to each other, all on their own. And followed each other around the playground so sweetly.

Thank you play group friends for all the fun we have on Monday mornings.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Day 6 {Baby Cuddles}

I was thrilled to get a 4 hour nap in with my sweet sweet boy. I woke up to the sweetest baby in the world pushed as close to me as possible making the cutest giggles in his sleep. Nothing is better than the feeling of knowing that even in his sleep he wants to be right next to me.

I'm not a cuddler at all. I like having my own room. My own side of the bed. I can't face anyone when I sleep in fear that I will die of carbon monoxide poisoning. But, that all gets thrown out the window with this kid. I love his cuddles. I love his sweet sounds he makes while he's sleeping. I love that he has to share a pillow with me or he throws a fit. I love that he can take up my queen size bed all to himself. I love that he has to have 2 blankets and most always has one over his head. I love everything about baby cuddles!

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Day 5 {Chick Fil A}

I'm sure to all you non parents out there, this one seems a little silly. But sometimes I think of Chick Fil A as a Godsend. I mean, where else can you get a semi healthy lunch with an enormous fruit cup? Then, trade in the toy for an ice cream cup (learned the hard way....no more cones) so that you don't have to have yet another toy at home to find room for. And then have a super clean play area to entertain your kid for hours.

Yes, I frequent Chick Fil A on a pretty regular basis. Even if we don't eat. He plays, wears himself out, and we can get an early nap time in. And, as I've stated before, I'm always up for nap time.

Thank you Chick Fil A for providing a free play area for my child and early nap times for me.

Friday, November 4, 2011

Day 4: Apple

I was having a great day. And then my phone completely died. I couldn't get it to charge. I couldn't get it to turn on. It was no fun. My nice relaxing night at home got put aside so I could spend a couple hours at the Apple store. They couldn't do anything with my phone either. So, now I have no pictures, no music, no contacts, no apps, nothing. But, I do have a working cell phone.

So, thank you Apple. For trying to fix my phone. For giving me a new phone for free. For having the kids area for A to play in. And for having free wifi so he could watch Dora on the iPad when he got tired of the games on the kids computers.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Day 3: My parents

It's late. I'm exhausted. And Aidenn decided to take a nap until 730 pm so I know we are going to have a late night. But, in 12 days, we get to see my parents and I couldn't be more excited.

Maybe it's because we will be spending a month in Hawaii. But, I like to think that some of my excitement is seeing my parents who I haven't seen since March. The mom that still feels guilty about things that weren't her fault. The dad that didn't have to be there, but when he married my mom, he raised me like I was his own. The mom that worked 3 jobs just so she could send me to gymnastics. The dad that drove 14 hours because I wanted to come home from my father's house during one of our summer visits. The parents that gave me a place to go, and a place to start over. The parents that would do anything for me, no matter how much I screw up.

Today, I'm thankful for them.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Nap Time

I planned on going to bed early last night. Aidenn went to bed at 1030, which is great for him. I planned on going to bed after doing the dishes. Then I got sidetracked. So, at 1 am, I was getting ready for bed and realized a friend of mine was on Skype. Next thing I know, it's 315 am and we are still talking about crazies, special snowflakes, immigration, and anything else you can think of.

So today, I am thankful for naptime. I know that I probably have no hopes of getting one today. But, just the thought that I might be able to take a 15 minute break at some point today without having to entertain a very clingy 21 month old makes my day.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Hello November

Can you believe it's already Novemer? This year has flown by. In the past year so much has happened. It really is true when people tell you that time flies after having kids. I feel like it was just yesterday that I was getting ready to go to the hospital to be induced and now I have an almost 2 year old on my hands.

This month, I will be highlighting some of the things I'm thankful for.

Day 1 of A Month Of Thanks has to be Aidenn. He is my life. He is a pain in the butt, and way too fond of the word no, and makes a mess of absolutely everything. He is curious, loves to learn, and not afraid of anything. He is the most amazing cuddled and gives the best hugs and kisses. He is funny, sweet, and oh so smart. He is life changing. And, he is the best thing that ever happened to me.

Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos

Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos

Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos