UPDATE:  Sorry….I forgot to put the video on at the end.  Check it out if you already read this.  Or not….free country. 

It seems that the end of summer crept up on us and at the end of August Brian declared we hadn’t taken a family vacation.  It was true.  While trips have been taken this summer northward to visit family and for a little fishing and hiking, we weren’t together when we did it.  We scoured the calendar and there wasn’t a single weekend in September we didn’t have commitments.  So Brian got on the phone and talked his way out of doing an Irish riverdance for a ward activity on the 15th and we made plans for a quick jaunt to San Diego. 

We were able to get the van repaired just in the nick of time so we could enjoy our own vehicle and we took off Thursday evening.  There were signs along the I-15 that warned of 90 minute delays but it never came to pass and we pulled into the Hyatt on San Diegos coast at around 12:30.  The Giants baseball team and all the folks that must include plus a few business conventions ensured that all the king size beds in the hotel were taken.  We had to settle for one of the first times ever for 2 double beds which just meant we each took a kid.  We may soon outgrow Priceline.  It was a great room with a fantastic view.

From our window we could see the USS Midway with all the planes parked on the deck…Not to mention the beautiful Pacific.  We slept in a little on Friday morning but were off in plenty of time for a full day of fun and relaxation.  First we found a little breakfast joint and fed the troops and then Brian wanted to tour the Midway.  We spent about an hour and a half on that huge hunk of metal (I still don’t get how they get stuff like that to float).  It was really quite remarkable.  It was like a city.  A very dirty and hot city.  I don’t envy the sailors that spent real time aboard.  The girls enjoyed getting in some airplanes and giant helicopters that were on display on the flight deck and I enjoyed my fantasy of leaping overboard into the ocean.  It was warm and muggier than we are used to. 

Here is pregnant me and the little girls standing near the giant statue that stands outside the Midway.  I first noticed it from our hotel room.  It’s big.  It was modeled after a famous photograph taken at the end of WWII

We thought about leaving the girls in the brig but decided we liked them enough to take ‘em with us. 

Deep in the belly of the ship Serra steers us toward the enemy. 

We headed to the beach by way of Coronado Island.  We figured that was probably closest at about a 15 minute drive.  We found a great beach with free parking.  With school back in session it was not crowded and we let the girls romp in the waves for a bit over an hour.  Rosie wasn’t so sure about the water and sand and fussed a bit to begin with but when she got used to it she had a great time along with Serra.  Serra was gung ho from the start, found a friend, and got busy playing.  We got a kick out of her trying to see under the water with her face mask (at about 6 inches)  and getting a mouthful of salt water.  She didn’t realize sea water was salty. 

We were able to convince Serra it was time to go by reminding her the hotel had a pool and if we left we would have time to swim for a bit.  So off we went back to the hotel and swam for a bit.  It was in the mid-70′s and perfect for laying around the pool but once you got in it was chilly to say the least.  Rosie has taken to floaties like a fish.  Serra didn’t get the hang of them until she was 3.  Rosie is an old pro by now and jumps in herself and gets around quite nicely.  It helps, I’m sure, to have an older sister show her that there is nothing to be afraid of. 

We didn’t stay overly long at the pool because we had a baseball game to get to and wanted to eat before we went to the stadium.  With all the sweating, beach and swimming of the day we all required showers or baths so we did so. 

My foot is still giving me troubles from my toe incident and as I am unable to get a shoe on have been relying on flip flops which created a new problem.  No arch support.  My foot was really bugging so I wasn’t looking forward to the 3/4 mile walk to the stadium.  The gaslight district where we were staying and where the stadium is located as well has guys on bikes with people carts behind them.  A guy approached us as we were leaving the hotel and asked us if we wanted a ride.  He convinced us he could pull all 4 of us and we were so amazed that he would even take on such a task we took him up on his offer figuring he couldn’t charge us much more than a cab would cost.  Wrongo Dongo.  He took us a mile and then asked for $30 per person.  Brian looked at his little price thing on the bike that was well hidden and finally agreed to $15 per person which was still highway robbery.  We seem to have to learn this lesson again by not asking beforehand what it’s going to cost and making the deal before.  We learned later that they will go for a lot less but you have to be a bit smarter and make the deal ahead of time.  Anyway, we enjoyed a fantastic meal at a place called Lou and Mickeys.  We enjoyed the best artichoke appetizer I have ever had and intend to find out exactly how they did it.  I must recreate it.  Even Serra was loving it. 

The restaurant was right across the street from the ball park so we headed on over and found our seats just as the game got started.  We were just behind 3rd base and 10 rows up or so.  Countless fly balls came our way and we didn’t try to catch anything.  Usually I just ducked and tried to protect a kid.  One has to really pay attention when you sit there.  Serra, of course, milked the opportunity of having her Dad in one of his favorite places and got cotton candy and other such treats.  We really did have a good time and it helped that Rosie napped for half the game to we could watch the game and not her so much.  Serra entertained the people behind us while she waited for her favorite part, singing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game”.  Padres were down in the 8th inning and many of the fans took off figuring in was a done deal.  But the Padres tied the game up in the 9th and ended up winning in overtime.  Brian was in heaven.  I haven’t seen a smile on his face like that in a while. 

We ended up walking back to the hotel and I was glad to get my feet up and go to bed.  It was a fun day.  Rosie fell off the bed once that night but didn’t cry and fell right back asleep. 

This is what blue cotton candy will do to you…and yes my chest is very sunburned. 

Saturday was our zoo day so we headed in that direction.  It was only a few miles away so we found a McDonalds in the attempt to save some money (since a good portion of our cash disappeared the night before) and we dined on pancakes. 

The zoo was a little disappointing.  They are renovating a huge portion of it and many animals were not on display, sleeping in some hidden area unseen to the zoo goers, or just hard to locate.  My favorite animal exhibit in the past was the hippos and I enjoyed them again but the girls were more interested in playing on the fake animals.  Next time maybe we will just go to a park or something. We did have fun though.  Serra got her face painted.  We laughed at the bus tour that we took,@ $10 per person, in order to see a bit more than a day would normally allow us.  Because of all the construction they took us to the back areas and pointed out the bus parking lot, mechanic area, and my favorite, the employee lunch building.  Every other animal exhibit we passed the driver told us we would have to come back on foot.  We did see the elephants which is what Brian wanted to see and one of them was taking a water bath which made it all worth it.  After 5 hours we were done and headed back to the hotel.  We started to rejuvenate a bit on the drive back and I asked Brian if we could go to the game that night.  I think he couldn’t believe his good fortune.  We rested for a few hours and headed back to the stadium where we had even better seats than the night before.  They were higher up but were padded. 

Brian and I watched the hippos.

So did Serra and Rosie…

Serra admiring her new face. 

We got a new stroller that allows both kids to ride.  It beats Dad having to carry one or both.  Rosie liked Serra’s new face. 

At the second game.  Rosie crashed.

When we woke up on Sunday morning Serra was nestled in her down pillows and declared she wasn’t ready for her vacation to be over yet.  I felt the same way but alas…life called us back home.  We ended the day at Brian’s parents home where they fed us and we reclaimed Mo. 

This last week has been so busy I haven’t even had a chance to get all this down.  I have started seeing a Chiropractor to help with my swollen and numb hand issue and frequent neck pain.  In one week I can now make tight fists with both hands, pain free, and I don’t feel like my neck is going to spasm if I make one wrong move.  I still get numb arms at night but not to the extent I did before and it doesn’t keep me up.  This morning I went in and he declared he has never had a pregnant woman respond to treatment so quickly and switched me to 2 days a week instead of 3.  Now if I can get my foot to heal so I can get shoes on…The weather has taken a turn over night literally.  We left Vegas for SanDiego leaving behind 106 during the day and returned to high 80′s.  It has been in the 70′s -80′s all week and we even got a massive rainstorm blow through.  I would really like to get out and walk but can’t get shoes on yet. 

Saturday night Brian and I went and saw the musical MammaMia.  It was fun and we enjoyed having some kid free moments for a few hours.  I neglected to warn the babysitter not to let Rosie sleep which she apparently did.  She was up singing in my bed and kicking me until after 1am.  9am church…good times.

It’s nearly 7 pm now and I still need to feed the family dinner (I just caught Rosie packing around a bag of cereal and then licorice, I think she’s hungary)…so that’s all I have time for now.  Check back in a few days for a baby update and ultrasound pix.

Coming soon.  SanDiego pictures and report. . . Maybe a video or two.

My toes have taken a beating lately.  First the incident with the great northern beans and then last week I dislocated my pinky toe by kicking the vacuum. (Not on purpose because I resent housework or anything) When I looked down at my throbbing toe it was perpendicular to my other toes.  Kind of a freaky sight.  It still hurts but feels better every day. 

We got to visit with Gary and Liesl and Fam last night for a few hours.  They crashed here on their way to, where else, Disneyland.   Jeff and Maren were able to hang out with us too.  I really like Maren not being in school.  We have seen them quite a bit more lately and actually got together Saturday for a swim and then some games and grub in the evening.  Serra cried this morning when she woke up and everyone was gone.  No worries.  We will see them all again in a few weeks for conference.

Speaking of Serra:

We have been talking about getting her haircut for a few months.  After Katrina cut her hair for Locks of Love Serra decided she wanted to do that too.  So we let it grow a little longer and this afternoon took her into a local Supercuts and did the deed.  She was sooo excited and had a smile the whole time.  She has been carrying around a brush since she got home and loves how it feels.  She really does look very cute with short hair.  It will grow fast though and she can decide if she likes it short or wants to grow it back out. 

We are headed to SanDiego for the weekend.  Brian needs at least one Padres game this year and we thought a day at the beach and the zoo were in order as well.  Our van is in the body shop right now getting all its Utah dings out and we hope to have it back by Thursday evening when we plan on leaving.  I realize how spoiled I am with my Odyssey when I am driving the rental.  I actually had to get out of the rental van to shut Serra’s passenger side door because it’s not automatic.  

I’ve started having milk and eggs and a few other things we use regularly delivered to my door rather than having to run to the grocery store every few days because we’re out.  I remember Mom doing that years ago and I don’t know if it will save me any money but we’re giving it a go anyway.  Errands have been a real challenge for me with the heat and pregnancy and I want to minimize the times I have to go out in the elements and haul kids as well.  I feel a little better about it knowing that it is all hormone free products from a company in Utah (Winder Farms), and it is about the same price I would pay for similar product from Trader Joes. 

Anyway, I was doing my other grocery shopping last week for the stuff that doesn’t require a cooler to get home.  From the top shelf, onto my flip flop clad foot, fell a can of great northern beans.  And great was the pain on my big toe and the poor digit next to it.  I thought of Julie as several words came to my mind to holler out.  I finally blurted Geez Louise that hurt, and I got all the sympathy I needed from Rosie.  I’m sporting a nice bruise and I’m even more inclined to order things to be delivered to my door. 

Rosie has finally accepted the fact that her sister goes somewhere without her for a few hours in the afternoon.  She now waves vigorously and yells “Bye” until Serra tells her goodbye too.  She gets really bored with me when we just go home and do chores and has been falling asleep for a short nap.  Of course, this creates a problem for bedtime because even a short nap with this child ensures a very late bedtime.  I am a firm believer that it’s not about training.  I really believe this child simply doesn’t require the same amount of sleep as some kids (Evelyn).  When she doesn’t take a nap I can get her to sleep by around 9pm.  Regardless of the nap she is up and running between 7:30 and 8am.  Her vocabulary has expanded greatly to the point I can’t make lists anymore.  She pretty much tries to repeat everything we say.  She has problems with the “N” sound and so “No” is “Mo” and “Nose”  is almost “Mose” but sounds a lot like “Mo” too.  This creates a little confusion for Mo.  “Drink” has morphed into “Dink, Dink”  which sounds a lot like “Deet Deet” for “Stinky”.  Speaking of stinky.  She has decided she really likes to go potty but does it in her diaper and then likes to take it off and go sit on the toilet.  This makes quite a mess when it’s of the messy variety.  I think in a month or so we will hit the potty training hard.  She is starting to grasp the concept.  Until then overalls are in order. 

Serra is enjoying school for the most part.  She hasn’t complained about anything except they haven’t said the pledge.  If they don’t start I will most likely bring it up soon.  She has been “on green” everyday so far which means she hasn’t had to change her card because of bad behavior.  She points out kids to me everyday that had to change their cards.  It is a big deal apparently.  She has been learning about the months and days and reminded me the other day that I needed to change my calendar because it was September now. 

This is how I found Rosie the other afternoon.  Mom is so boring.