Be still my heart!!
Monday, July 30, 2012
Story Time
The other morning Skylar wanted to sit with her brother and read him a book. Jake and I thought it was the cutest thing ever and had to get the camera out to take some pictures.
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Dianne's Bachelorette Party
Well, I hate to say it, but it looks to be the end of an era for us girls and bachelorette parties. Last weekend we celebrated Dianne's bachelorette and it was definitely the opposite from our first bachelorette party we all did together. Thank goodness Dianne didn't want to do anything crazy and just wanted to keep it mellow by going out to a nice dinner and doing some bar hoping in the Gaslamp. We got hotel rooms at the Marriott downtown and all met up there in the afternoon. Darci and Jenn decorated the room for Dianne, while the rest of us kept her company at the hotel bar. Everyone surprised Dianne with cute lingerie and her favorite desserts from Nothing Bundt Cakes.
For dinner Darci made a reservations at the Red Pearl Kitchen, which was so yummy. They even gave us a ton of free appetizers that were just to die for. It was perfect, just us, hanging out at a nice dinner, having great conversation and not being in some crazy loud club. I even decided to have my first drink in a year due to being pregnant and now feeding (which ended up being my last drink of the night as well).
After dinner we did some bar hopping. Seeing that it has been years since we had all been out downtown together we had a hard time in the beginning finding a place to go. We started at the new bar/restaurant Searsucker, but that didn't last long as it was packed and getting drinks was a pain. We decided we just wanted a place mellow where we could all chat and enjoy the night, so we ended up at the rooftop of J Bar.
Jackie and I (the Prego and Nursing Mom) ended the night before everyone else and headed back to the hotel about midnight. Everyone else made one last pit stop at another bar on the way back to the hotel. There really wasn't a better way to celebrate Dianne's upcoming wedding. She had a great time, we had tasty food and drinks, we didn't get hit on by a bunch of sweaty drunk guys, and no one was super hungover. Like I said, it was extremely different from our first bachelorette party 6 years ago, but I would have to say this was one of my favorites. Congrats again D I'm super-excited for you!
Now, on to the wedding!!
Dianne was so sweet and got a little gift for all of us girls.
Starting the night off right!
For dinner Darci made a reservations at the Red Pearl Kitchen, which was so yummy. They even gave us a ton of free appetizers that were just to die for. It was perfect, just us, hanging out at a nice dinner, having great conversation and not being in some crazy loud club. I even decided to have my first drink in a year due to being pregnant and now feeding (which ended up being my last drink of the night as well).
After dinner we did some bar hopping. Seeing that it has been years since we had all been out downtown together we had a hard time in the beginning finding a place to go. We started at the new bar/restaurant Searsucker, but that didn't last long as it was packed and getting drinks was a pain. We decided we just wanted a place mellow where we could all chat and enjoy the night, so we ended up at the rooftop of J Bar.
Jackie and I (the Prego and Nursing Mom) ended the night before everyone else and headed back to the hotel about midnight. Everyone else made one last pit stop at another bar on the way back to the hotel. There really wasn't a better way to celebrate Dianne's upcoming wedding. She had a great time, we had tasty food and drinks, we didn't get hit on by a bunch of sweaty drunk guys, and no one was super hungover. Like I said, it was extremely different from our first bachelorette party 6 years ago, but I would have to say this was one of my favorites. Congrats again D I'm super-excited for you!
Now, on to the wedding!!
Monday, July 16, 2012
Newport Beach - 2012
For the second year in a row my parents decided to rent a beach house down in Newport Beach for a week. When I was in high school, renting a beach house in Newport was the norm, so I'm glad that they have brought the tradition back as it's always a nice getaway for us. Last year we were there the week of the 4th of July, but this year they thought it would be a good idea to skip out on all the crowds and craziness the holiday can bring and rent a place the week after which was way better. A heat wave hit the week we were down there so it made it even nicer not to be home with the high temperatures and to be where there was a ocean breeze.
I was excited to get Skylar down to the beach because since Madden was born we have been stuck around the house a lot more then usual so I thought it would be a great for her. She wasn't as interested in going in the ocean as much as she was just playing in the sand with her sand toys and filling up her buckets of water and dumping them out over and over again. Jake was such a trooper playing with her, and walking back and forth with her to fill up her buckets with water.
This was also Madden's first trip to the beach and I was keeping my fingers crossed that he would keep on his best behavior. I really wanted him to take good naps on the beach so I could stay down there more and get some sun. Well, he wasn't horrible with napping on the beach, but he did end up taking most of his naps in his bed. The first day I took him down to the sand he did great by taking a peaceful nap on the beach, the next time I hit the beach with him he refused to nap and I had to leave the beach to put him down in his own bed. Either way, I can't complain, he was such a great baby while we were away from home. He slept perfectly... even having his first full night sleep there! He never got too fussy and let my Mom and I take morning walks on the boardwalk without getting too crazy in the stroller.
One of the best things about being down in Newport was just being able to spend time with Matthew and Erin, as it had been almost two months since we had seen them last. Having Skylar and Madden spend time with them was one of the things I was looking forward to most. Skylar loves her Auntie more than anything! Every morning when Erin would be sleeping she would ask, "Where's Auntie Erin" and always want to wake her up. She loved sitting on Erin's lap while Erin was in her wheel chair (side note: Erin broke her ankle a few weeks ago so she is out of commission for the summer) and posing for pictures with her. She just seemed to always want to be with her. I don't think Erin was even able to go to the bathroom without Skylar wanting to go in with her. The two of them were like a two peas in a pod. Don't get me wrong, Skylar loves her Uncle Matthew too, but I think she likes Auntie just a little bit more.
When you rent a beach house in Newport usually all the surrounding places have renters in them too, so you just never know who is going be next to you. This year we had a really sweet family next door with 3 boys and, better yet for Skylar, we believe she found her first boy crush. One of the boys was 5 year old Mason who Skylar was just obsessed with. Mason wasn't shy about stopping by and was coming in and out of our place all week long wanting to see Skylar and what the rest of us were up to. Skylar was a total stalker on Mason. He, being your typical 5 year old boy, was all over the place and whenever he would leave our place she would get so upset and constantly be asking "Where's Mason Mama? Where's Mason Mama?" She probably asked me that 500 times during the whole week. She would even stand outside our door looking up at his door waiting for him to return. It was all very cute to watch, especially how excited she would get whenever he came over... To be young and in love!
Taking bike rides was definitely a highlight for Skylar. She loved just going up and down the boardwalk seeing all the action, but surprisingly half the time we took her on bike rides she would pass out cold in her bike sit.
As the week drew to an end the weather took a turn for the worst. It started to get cooler and even rained one day, so we figured with the change of weather it would be a good day to take Skylar down to Balboa to the Fun Zone. I could remember going as a kid myself playing all the arcade games and riding the rides and was hoping Skylar would get the same enjoyment out of it as I did. I decided to stay home with Madden and let everyone else go. They played games, took a fairy ride, and Skylar even enjoyed her first corn dog (well the bread on the corn dog). She came home worn out and with a bunch of little toys in hand proving she had a fun time.
It ended up being another great week down in Newport. It was so nice getting away for a week and being in different surroundings. Big thanks to my parents for getting the place and letting us stay with them all week long. I couldn't of asked of more from Skylar and Madden, they were great and made our time up there very easy and fun. I can't wait until next year for when Madden will be a year old and able to actually enjoy the beach and sand with his sister. Jake and I will be able to also enjoy the beach a bit more as one of us won't have to stay back as often while one of the kiddos is napping.
Until next time Newport....see you next summer!!
I was excited to get Skylar down to the beach because since Madden was born we have been stuck around the house a lot more then usual so I thought it would be a great for her. She wasn't as interested in going in the ocean as much as she was just playing in the sand with her sand toys and filling up her buckets of water and dumping them out over and over again. Jake was such a trooper playing with her, and walking back and forth with her to fill up her buckets with water.
This was also Madden's first trip to the beach and I was keeping my fingers crossed that he would keep on his best behavior. I really wanted him to take good naps on the beach so I could stay down there more and get some sun. Well, he wasn't horrible with napping on the beach, but he did end up taking most of his naps in his bed. The first day I took him down to the sand he did great by taking a peaceful nap on the beach, the next time I hit the beach with him he refused to nap and I had to leave the beach to put him down in his own bed. Either way, I can't complain, he was such a great baby while we were away from home. He slept perfectly... even having his first full night sleep there! He never got too fussy and let my Mom and I take morning walks on the boardwalk without getting too crazy in the stroller.
One of the best things about being down in Newport was just being able to spend time with Matthew and Erin, as it had been almost two months since we had seen them last. Having Skylar and Madden spend time with them was one of the things I was looking forward to most. Skylar loves her Auntie more than anything! Every morning when Erin would be sleeping she would ask, "Where's Auntie Erin" and always want to wake her up. She loved sitting on Erin's lap while Erin was in her wheel chair (side note: Erin broke her ankle a few weeks ago so she is out of commission for the summer) and posing for pictures with her. She just seemed to always want to be with her. I don't think Erin was even able to go to the bathroom without Skylar wanting to go in with her. The two of them were like a two peas in a pod. Don't get me wrong, Skylar loves her Uncle Matthew too, but I think she likes Auntie just a little bit more.
When you rent a beach house in Newport usually all the surrounding places have renters in them too, so you just never know who is going be next to you. This year we had a really sweet family next door with 3 boys and, better yet for Skylar, we believe she found her first boy crush. One of the boys was 5 year old Mason who Skylar was just obsessed with. Mason wasn't shy about stopping by and was coming in and out of our place all week long wanting to see Skylar and what the rest of us were up to. Skylar was a total stalker on Mason. He, being your typical 5 year old boy, was all over the place and whenever he would leave our place she would get so upset and constantly be asking "Where's Mason Mama? Where's Mason Mama?" She probably asked me that 500 times during the whole week. She would even stand outside our door looking up at his door waiting for him to return. It was all very cute to watch, especially how excited she would get whenever he came over... To be young and in love!
Taking bike rides was definitely a highlight for Skylar. She loved just going up and down the boardwalk seeing all the action, but surprisingly half the time we took her on bike rides she would pass out cold in her bike sit.
As the week drew to an end the weather took a turn for the worst. It started to get cooler and even rained one day, so we figured with the change of weather it would be a good day to take Skylar down to Balboa to the Fun Zone. I could remember going as a kid myself playing all the arcade games and riding the rides and was hoping Skylar would get the same enjoyment out of it as I did. I decided to stay home with Madden and let everyone else go. They played games, took a fairy ride, and Skylar even enjoyed her first corn dog (well the bread on the corn dog). She came home worn out and with a bunch of little toys in hand proving she had a fun time.
It ended up being another great week down in Newport. It was so nice getting away for a week and being in different surroundings. Big thanks to my parents for getting the place and letting us stay with them all week long. I couldn't of asked of more from Skylar and Madden, they were great and made our time up there very easy and fun. I can't wait until next year for when Madden will be a year old and able to actually enjoy the beach and sand with his sister. Jake and I will be able to also enjoy the beach a bit more as one of us won't have to stay back as often while one of the kiddos is napping.
Until next time Newport....see you next summer!!
Saturday, July 7, 2012
4th of July - 2012
For the 4th of July this year we decided to stay close to home. Our neighborhood was putting on a parade and potluck so we figured that would be just perfect for Skylar and easy to take Madden too. Of course, I hadn't had a chance to get over to Michaels all week so I had to go the morning of the 4th and pick through the left over 4th of July decorations they had remaining for Skylar to decorate her car. I was pretty happy with what I picked out after her and Jake got done decorating her car because it turned out pretty cute.
Before we left I tried my best to get a cute picture of Skylar and Madden, but it really didn't work out.
The park was very festive for the holiday and there was a great turn out of people. Kids of all ages had their bikes, scooters, and push cars all decorated for the parade.
Before the parade started, Skylar was selected to be grand marshall, which turned out to be a bad idea because she was not in the best of moods. Luckily once the parade started her mood got a little bit better and she started to enjoy herself somewhat as we walked through the neighborhood. I pushed Skylar, while Jake pushed Madden in the stroller to keep him napping.
Once the sun was going down Skylar and Jake headed out to watch fireworks in the neighborhood, while I stayed home to put Madden to bed. Jake said that Skylar loved watching the fireworks people were setting off in the alleys and parks. She was dancing around while she, and the crowds of neighbors, waited for the Legoland's firework show to start. By 9:00 pm Jake brought her home and she told me how she saw all the fireworks... but that "they were really loud". It was definitely the most mellow 4th of July I think we have ever had, but it was really nice to just keep it simple this year.
Before we left I tried my best to get a cute picture of Skylar and Madden, but it really didn't work out.
The park was very festive for the holiday and there was a great turn out of people. Kids of all ages had their bikes, scooters, and push cars all decorated for the parade.
Before the parade started, Skylar was selected to be grand marshall, which turned out to be a bad idea because she was not in the best of moods. Luckily once the parade started her mood got a little bit better and she started to enjoy herself somewhat as we walked through the neighborhood. I pushed Skylar, while Jake pushed Madden in the stroller to keep him napping.
All the kids got together for a picture after the parade, minus one...Skylar. She refused to be apart of the photo, but she did end up having some fun with her friend Maddie. After a couple of hours it was time to go home and put both kiddos down for a nap. Later that night Jake cooked up some turkey burgers for us to have for dinner.
Once the sun was going down Skylar and Jake headed out to watch fireworks in the neighborhood, while I stayed home to put Madden to bed. Jake said that Skylar loved watching the fireworks people were setting off in the alleys and parks. She was dancing around while she, and the crowds of neighbors, waited for the Legoland's firework show to start. By 9:00 pm Jake brought her home and she told me how she saw all the fireworks... but that "they were really loud". It was definitely the most mellow 4th of July I think we have ever had, but it was really nice to just keep it simple this year.
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