September 4: Oahu, Day Two

Sunday morning started at 5am for us.  Scarlett was a little mixed up from the time change.  We hung out in our room for a while, then headed down to the pool.

Uncle Kyle is still one of Scarlett's favorite people and he is wonderful at entertaining her.

 We had to take a little break from swimming to fill up on some Cheetos.

 Ashley stood too close to the pool edge and my Dad threw her in.  She wasn't too happy, but once Scarlett saw Auntie was swimming, she made her stay in and play for a while.

 We headed to our lagoon later in the day and enjoyed the warm ocean water.  Scarlett loved going out and riding the waves with everyone.  You can see Kyle, Dad, Aunt Pam, Mom and Scarlett if you look closely.

 We headed to downtown Honolulu early Sunday evening to meet up with our friends, the Kamauus (they lived in Napa several years ago- Mele is Ashley's age, Bekah is my age, and now many of them live on Oahu), for a walking tour at Iolani Palace.  They started with beautiful music and we learned a lot about the history of Hawaii, and how they became a part of the United States.

 Scarlett wasn't too interested in listening- she just wanted to run.

 Kathy Kamauu is an experienced Grandma and helped keep Scarlett and the other kids entertained.

 Patiently waiting for another turn to spin.

 Auntie Ashley.

After the tour, we went down to restaurant row and had dinner at Ruth's Chris.  It is one of our family's favorite restaurants, and since we were leaving Kyle in Hawaii (to attend BYU-H) at the end of the week, we couldn't pass it up (though several people were disappointed with their meals- which NEVER happens at Ruth's- I guess Hawaii is not the best place for steak?).

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!