September 3: Oahu, Day One

Our Hawaiian adventure began Saturday morning at 5am.  I waited until just a few minutes before we needed to leave for the airport to wake Scarlett up.  When she got up she looked at me and said, "Mommy, I tired."  Then I told her it was time to go on the trip we had been talking about all week- that put a little spring in her step and she was up and yelling "I goin' on a trip!" within seconds.

We drove to the Sacramento Airport where we met up with Ashley, who had flown in from SLC the night before, and my Aunt Pam and cousin Marcelle.  We boarded our flight, a little nervous about how Scarlett would do in a confined space for 5+ hours, but thank goodness for the iPad and all the fun games and movies. 

 Actually, it was really thank goodness for Aunt Ashley, she entertained Scarlett 95% of the time.  It was a pretty relaxing flight for myself and Rob.

 We landed in Honolulu around 11:45am, gathered our luggage, took the bus to the rental cars, rented our cars, and then headed straight to Pearl Harbor.  It has been about 25 years since my family has visited Oahu (I was 18 months; but I did come with a few girlfriends for my "Senior Trip", but let's face it, we didn't ever really leave the beach) so we wanted to hit up some of the touristy spots.

 After watching a very interesting video on the events of that day, we took a boat ride out to the USS Arizona Memorial.

 The whole family in front of the wall with the names of all those who died that day.

 The USS Missouri.

 USS Arizona Memorial.

 After a long plane ride, driving in the car, sitting through a short movie, and having to constantly hold our hand on the Memorial- finally, wide open space to run amok.

 We finished up at Pearl Harbor and headed to the Marriott Ko Olina where we were staying for the week.  My family and Aunt and cousin stayed in a two-bedroom suite, and Rob, Scarlett and I got our own room in a different tower (Scarlett doesn't go to bed when a lot of things are going on around her).  Our resort was beautiful.  There were several pools and Jacuzzis, a waterslide and a private beach lagoon.  Scarlett was thrilled when I told her she could put on her swim suit and head to the pool.  You would think she would have been tired but she didn't fall asleep once- not in the car, not in her stroller- she was so excited to be in "Awaii".

 We ate dinner at the restaurant overlooking the beach.  Beautiful sunsets every night.

It was a great start to a great vacation.  After dinner we went back to our room and showered, got our "jammas" on, and my little family of 3 was fast asleep by 9pm.  Scarlett had been awake for 19 hours straight that day and did a fantastic job.  No melt-downs, I was very proud.  She slept on the sofa-sleeper in our room and loved having a big girl bed, though she usually liked Daddy to be in the bed with her.  I didn't mind having the plush (I love Marriott bedding) King to myself.

Baby Girl

I haven't talked much about this little babe and I am feeling a little guilty about it.

This pregnancy really has gone by pretty quickly (minus the weeks of nausea and vomiting). When I was pregnant with Scarlett, it was all I could think about. By 22 weeks I had been shopping 3 dozen times, had bought tons of baby items, had posted about my pregnancy at least a dozen times, and was all about baby. This time around, I am 2 days shy of 22 weeks, and I haven't really even had time to think about this baby. Scarlett is such an active, hyper, busy little bee that I don't ever have time to just sit down for a minute. This pregnancy has been different in a lot of ways; one, I threw up every morning from week 8 to week 16, but the nausea wasn't that bad. With Scarlett I only threw up 3 times but felt so nauseous all day that I lived on the couch most of the day during weeks 6-12. Two, my hips don't seem to have spread as much (yet!) as they did with Scar; I am still able to fit in to a few of my pants and shorts. I haven't bought any new maternity clothes, but I am going to need them soon, I'm sure. I feel this one move much less than Scarlett, which I am hoping means she will be calm and easy going.

Rob and I decided we wanted to have our kids about 2 years apart, and since it took 6 months to get pregnant with Scarlett, we decided to stop "avoiding" pregnancy on Scar's first birthday. That first month I was nauseous, dry heaving every morning, and "late". The pregnancy test was negative and eventually I got my period. The same thing happened the next two months, December and January. I finally went to the doctor in February to make sure things were OK, and my blood work came back with my prolactin level being more than twice the highest level it should be (22 is the highest your prolactin should be when you are breastfeeding, and closer to 11-15 when not); mine was 44, and I was not breastfeeding. My OB sent me to the endocrinologist in March and she tested me again and miraculously my prolactin level had normalized. My thyroid was a bit off but not enough to cause problems.  My OB wanted to start me on infertility meds, but I didn't feel like I needed to do that quite yet.  After my April period, I had a very strong impression that I needed to live my life as though I would get pregnant this time around (really meaning, don't take any meds you shouldn't take when pregnant, things of that nature). Low and behold, I found out in May I was pregnant.  I was very hesitant and nervous to take the test because I had been disappointed so many times; I didn't want to see another negative test.  I waited one morning until Rob left for work and then I jumped out of bed and took the test.  As I waited for the results I said a little prayer, and cried a little, begging for it to be positive.  I was so excited when it was, I called Rob right away, didn't bother with a cute way of telling him- and then I called my parents.  I couldn't hide it.  I was thrilled.

We had our 21 1/2 week ultrasound yesterday and baby girl looks just beautiful. She changed positions 3 times while the doctor was checking her out and when we were trying to look at her face she covered it with both her hands. Adorable.  When we finally saw her sweet face she was opening and closing her mouth- the doctor said she was saying "Hi Mom!". She looks perfectly healthy and she is measuring a little small. I'm hoping that means she will come out easier since I am planning to try a VBAC.

We are so excited about this little addition, and know Scarlett will be the best big sister.  She talks to my tummy all the time and gives her sister big kisses.  My favorite thing that Scarlett picked up early in my pregnancy was my morning sickness- I threw up so often that periodically throughout the day Scarlett would cough, and then she would cover her mouth and tell me she would be right back.  She would go to the bathroom and "throw up" (totally dry heaving), flush the toilet, and then come tell me she was better.  How cute is she?

Here is our little babe, 21 1/2 weeks.

Little girl, we can't wait for you to join our family.  We love you to pieces, already.

August Birthdays

August was full of birthday celebrations, which means only one thing, a lot of YUMMY food!  We started out by celebrating Mom's birthday (29, again, right, Mom?) on the 13th.  We went to the Fremont Diner on the highway heading toward Sonoma for brunch.  Delicious food- but not a very organized place.  It was featured a while back on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. 

Happy, Happy, Nama!

My Mom's sister Pam came from Sacramento to have brunch with us, and Mom's Aunts, Pat (92) and El (91) joined us, as well.

I love the bottle the Dr. Pepper came in.

On the 16th we celebrated Rob's actual 29th birthday by going to Allegria (a must if you are ever in Napa) for dinner.

This family photo can count as my 17 week + 2 day pregnancy photo.  Still no real bump (in this picture, anyway).

Afterward, I had a super small gathering of a few of Rob's friends over to surprise him for birthday cake, and cheesecake.

My Grandpa's birthday was on the 24th so we all headed to Sacramento on the 28th for dinner and birthday celebrations.  Kyle drove home from Utah that day and met us at Aunt Pam's house.

Scarlett was SO thrilled to see him.

Never was there a girl so in love with her Uncle.

We ate delicious food, again, and then had pie and cupcakes for dessert.  I love that it looks like Scarlett and Grandpa are staring each other down.  She loves her "Papa".

Lisa's birthday was on the 31st, but we celebrated a few days earlier.  She requested my Roasted Chicken and Vegetable Pasta Primavera, and it was divine, if I do say so myself.  :)  I asked what she felt like for dessert and she said she was in the mood for something chocolaty- so there she had it, death by chocolate!  Chocolate Torte from TJ's and Ghirardelli brownies.

I'm kind of glad all the birthday celebrations are over for a little while- I'm not sure my pregnant body could take much more.  But I am SO grateful for all the wonderful people we have in our lives to celebrate!

Family Home Evening

Right after we found out this little baby is a girl, we headed over to our dear friends, the Caywood's, home for FHE.  My parents get together once a month with three couples who are all empty-nesters, and since some of the Caywood kids were in town, Rob, Scarlett and I got a special invitation

The whole gang- Caywoods, Turners, McMenamins, Jackmans, Adams, DeMilles and Fullers.  I've known these people for at least 20 years.  Wonderful friends.

 John and Caren were also celebrating their anniversary that day.  I love these two.

 Scarlett had a blast with all the "new" toys she got to play with.  She didn't realize John was pushing her for a while and she thought she really was doing it all by herself.  She was so proud.

 Before the night was over, Scarlett had to lay one on her buddy Emerson.  She did not only kiss him, but she grabbed him by his shirt, right on his chest, in order to do so.  Aggressive little girl, isn't she? 

My most favorite thing about living in Napa is things like this- getting to spend time with family, and friends who really are more like family than anything.

The Naked Chef

I have never really let Scarlett help me in the kitchen.  It kind of grosses me out when parents tell me their kids helped them make something.  But, Scarlett loves.loves.loves to help me do things, so I figured she was old enough to start being my little sous-chef.

We made a delicious chocolate chip cake for a little family/friend function a few nights ago.  Scarlett was excellent with the hand mixer.

 She took her job of adding the sugar very seriously...

 Oops!  Got some batter on the measuring cup...

 Not to worry, she cleaned it right up!

 That was some good batter!

 After beating everything together, she figured she would continue to help by licking the beaters clean.

 Mom, you really should try this.

We added a mixture of cinnamon and sugar to the cake and I let Scarlett mix that up- I turned my back for one second and heard "mmm!  This is nummy!"  She was spoon-feeding herself the concoction.  Don't fret friends, I mixed up a new batch for the cake.

It was so fun having Scarlett help me in the kitchen.  She is quite the little chef.  And before we started baking, she had to take her shirt off.  Pants were OK to keep on, but the shirt had to go.

In honor of Scarlett's 22nd month of life (I canNOT believe she will be TWO in two months), here are a few fun things this little jitter-bug is doing these days:

*At the grocery store, she always wants Rolos when we are in line at the check-out.  Last week I told her no treats and she responded, "I'll pay!"

* I call Scarlett a million different things, but I use Boo-boo a lot, or just Boo.  The other day my Mom asked her what her name was, she thought about it, and then replied "Boo!"

* She always says "thank you, Mommy" to which I usually reply "you're welcome, baby".  Last night she did something I had asked her to do so I said, "thank you, baby" to which she replied ever so enthusiastically, "thank YOU, BABY!"  She says you're welcome and it is so adorable- "yer welfome".

* Her most favorite thing right now is gum.  She asks for it a million times a day.  She is fabulous with it, she knows she can't swallow it so she chews for a few minutes and then spits it out.  Whenever she chews it, she shakes her head no and says "wa-wo" over, and over again.

* Whenever it is time to leave Grandma and Granddad's house she holds her pointer finger up and says "just one minute!"  She really does this whenever she doesn't want to stop what she is currently doing.

* She strips herself down, diaper and all, and runs around the house yelling "look at me!  I nay-nay!"

* She smells her baby doll's bum from time to time and says "ew!  She needs a change!"  She then finds a diaper and wipes and cleans her bum.

* She doesn't really understand that we are having a baby, but when I talk to her about it she knows the new baby is going to get her "mines" (that is what she named her pacifiers when she was like 11 months old).

* She has gone number one and two on the toilet a few times, but is definitely not consistent.  She has had two number one accidents- no number two, thankfully. 

* Whenever we talk about going swimming she says "call Al!"  She has been calling my Dad by his first name for about a month now.  He is her most favorite person to swim with.

* Scarlett will not touch vegetables, they are disgusting to her, but last night, she ate a whole bowl of salad!  And asked for more.  Happy mommy.  She also loved the mahi-mahi I made.

* She sings the alphabet- even though she doesn't know it.  She says letters, just not in the right order.  And some mornings when she wakes up, she sings "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star".  She doesn't know all the words, but she definitely knows some, and the tune.

* When it is time to put toys away she sings "clean up, clean up..."

Scarlett Ann, you are THE MOST energetic little person I have ever known.  You are full of spunk and charisma, and I absolutely adore that about you.  I love you, oh so much, and am so excited for you to share your love and energy with your baby sister in a few months.

Scarlett's Baby Sister

We went to the new 4D Ultrasound of Napa Valley on Monday, their first day in business, to find out if we were having a boy, or a girl.  I was actually a little surprised when the girl said, "There it is, any guesses?"  and I immediately knew it was another little girl.  Deep down I really thought this one was a boy.  I didn't care either way, but there was just a part of me that really thought boy.  I am thrilled Scarlett will have a little sister so close to her in age.  I hope and pray they will be the best of friends.  This little lady was awake, but so calm and still during the ultrasound, which was surprising because in my 9 week ultrasound she was dancing and shaking around like crazy- my doctor actually laughed and said she had never seen a baby so active that early.  But, if this ultrasound is any indication of her personality, I am sure looking forward to it.  Scarlett has the energy of three!  I could use a nice calm, easy going child.

We got a nice little recording of the baby's heart beat and Whitney (the owner) let Scarlett choose a bunny or a puppy (she loves puppies, it was an easy choice) to put the heart beat in.  Now she carries around a little dog that when she squeezes it she can hear her sister's heart beat.

We had a few people join us for the ultrasound- I think stuff like this is fun to share.  And no, no baby bump yet (nor weight gain, woohoo!), but I am certainly thicker in the middle! This counts as my 16 week + 1 day shot.

 And Aunt Deb, my cousin Sasha, and Lisa came, as well.

It is always so fun when you know the sex of the baby- it makes talking about "it" a little more real.  And now that it is a she, the shopping and planning can begin!  A few people told Rob that having another girl will make having another baby so much cheaper- his response- "seriously?  Ha!  Do you know my wife?!"  Scarlett does have buckets full of clothes that she really only wore once... so those will come in handy.  I think Rob is excited because he knows it means I will have at least one more baby to see if we can get a boy.  He was afraid if this was a boy I wouldn't have any more...
Here's to TWO girls!  Sisters.  Nothing beats it.

We love you, baby girl!  Can't wait for you to join our family.