Cruise 2009: Day 6

Day 6 was by far my favorite day of the cruise. It was Christmas Day and we were en route to the gorgeous Grand Turk Island in Turks and Caicos. It had stormed that night while we were sailing and the ship was extra rocky. Luckily the rocking didn't bother me and it lulled me to sleep like a baby.

There were still some lingering clouds that morning, but as we got closer to the island the clouds started to part. I snapped this shot off our balcony. If you look closely there is a rainbow coming from one of the clouds.



We didn't know it until we were at the port, but apparently we almost didn't get to stop at the island. The water was still a bit rough and almost too rough to get the ship in. The captain decided to give us all a Christmas present and he and his crew took a chance on getting us in. I know I was one of the thousands that were so thankful that he did!



There were some shops, beaches, and a big Margaritville complete with an awesome swimming pool right off the ship. Our boat was one of the first in that day so we headed straight to Jimmy's to snag seats by the pool. It was hot and sunny and the water was so cool. We were able to get seats by the beach entrance and I lounged on my chair watching Riley splash and play.







The highlight of the pool was the Flowrider. It's a big surf simulator and of course TG signed up. Riley and I went over to watch and cheer him on. Not to brag, but TG was the best in his group. On his first run he nailed all the basic tricks and by his second run the instructor moved him on to spins and other fun things!







Wipeout!


After two hours and lunch at the pool we walked out to the beach. I was hoping for some snorkeling, but due to the ships there wasn't much to see but a lot of dead coral and sand. Matt worked on his tan and Riley and I played in the surf.









Just as we had decided that we were done for the day a storm rolled in. We hustled to the boat for our afternoon nap and were able to get one Christmas 2009 family photo. You can tell that we are all quite tan and very tuckered.



We are hoping to make tropical Christmases part of our family tradition every couple of years! Check back with me on that one in 2012.

Seen and Heard plus some other stuff

This isn't a very focused post, just some bits and pieces of things that have been happening lately. It must be the OCD part of me that likes to write to topic, but the pregnant scatterbrained part of me is willing to let that go tonight.

This week I discovered the Pioneer Woman's site by clicking through from my bestie's blog. I'm sure I'm way behind the curve, but I am in love with her recipes. I made her chicken parmigiana tonight and TG cleaned his plate, literally using his bread to wipe every remaining bit up and eat it. I try my best, but he does not always devour every meal I make and a clean plate is the same as receiving 5 stars. Thank you Pioneer Woman!!!

HEARD. Riley's new favorite thing is to ask questions. Lots of them. Sometimes the same question repeatedly. She peppers me all day with "What's this Mama?", "What did you do?", "Where you goin?", "What appen Mama?" and my personal favorite "What you doing?". She says it with the same accent that Joey Tribbiani asks his famous one liner. If I leave her sight, even to use the bathroom for two seconds I am almost guaranteed to hear her little voice ask me "What you doing, Mama?"

On the baby boy front, I am beginning to wonder how much bigger my belly is going to get. It feels stretched pretty tight right now and I have two months to go! He still gets in some good kicks and jabs, but lately I feel him moving around with a tushy, elbow or head rolling across my belly. We still don't have a name for him and I'm beginning to think that we might just take a small list of names to the hospital and choose one after we meet him for the first time.

SEEN. Not sure if you have noticed in the photos of her lately, but Riley's hair is getting so long! It makes her look so much older! My favorite hairstyle for her lately is two pigtail buns and she looks pretty darn cute when she wears them. I asked her to model them for the camera this week so I could share.

Her serious pose.


Twirling to give you the full effect.

Cruise 2009: Day 5

Day 5 of our cruise was Christmas Eve and by the time we woke up that morning we were already at port in San Juan. I immediately threw open the curtains of our stateroom to see what the weather was like. Puerto Rico did not disappoint us. The skies were blue and the sun was shining.

After a quick breakfast, some studying of the map and google comparisons we headed off the boat to find a taxi and head to one of the nearby beaches. We lucked out and got a very polite and knowledgeable man who steered us away from the more popular beach in favor of one that was about 5 miles further north. We were so glad that we took his advice when we turned the corner and La Isla Verde Beach came into view.



We got there early so for the first hour we had the beach to ourselves. We spread out on the sand and immediately headed down to the water to splash in the waves.


She thought it was so funny to scream as the wave was coming in and loved it when they would crash over us and soak her.


Eventually I came up to rest and tan on the sand and she kept running up to say hi to me and then back down to swim, hunt for seashells and play with TG. Look at that water! Isla Verde is the perfect name for this beach.


Riley stopped for a break at one point, but it was a short one. She's a water baby and she just couldn't get enough of playing in the ocean.


After an amazing morning beachside we met up with TG's family before heading back into old San Juan for some shopping. The town was completely decorated for Christmas.


Our shopping trip wasn't very successful, but we had so much fun that day! Too much fun for a little one, who finally succumbed to sleep on our way back to the ship for lunch.

Our Pretty Princess

Riley is going to a princess birthday party tomorrow. It will be the first time that she will be able to wear one of her dress up outfits out in public. Today we decided to try on a few to pick out our favorite. It needs some tweaking (like getting rid of the crocs) but I think she was born to rule.

Commanding her legions.


Smiling for her masses. Don't you just love her clasped hands?

Cruise 2009: Day 4

When I woke up on Day 4 we were pulling into St. Thomas. There is only one word: BEAUTIFUL.

I am a self-proclaimed Hawaii lover. I went on this cruise having a hard time believing that there was anywhere else in the world with water as blue and landscape as breathtaking. St. Thomas came close. After a rainy day at sea, we spent a much needed day out in the sunshine and warm island air.

After morning workouts and a leisurely breakfast we spent the afternoon walking around and visiting the open air shops. I can't wait to take a trip back to St. Thomas again someday!

Me on the open air taxi on the way back to the boat from shopping. TG bought me a fake Dolce purse that I LOVE!


Our boat and Riley's Mickey "shi*" at port. The poor kid couldn't say ship.


Land! She loves to pull up grass. I'll hire her out to mow your lawn if you're interested. :)


Comparing fistfuls of grass with Daddy.


Walking back to the boat.

He should be a butternut squash

Baby boy and I are sailing right along. We had our ultrasound for this month last Tuesday and everything is looking fine. I'm just over 29 weeks now, but he's measuring about 2 weeks ahead. So instead of being the size of a butternut squash, he's about the size of 4 oranges, or 3.3 oz. (Actually since it's been another week I'd guess he was .3 - .5 oz bigger, but we'll stick with what we know)



The u/s tech was very thorough this time around. She was also much more honest with me and let me know that as the pregnancy progresses they are keeping a very close eye on some of his organs (because I have a 2 vessel umbilical cord instead of 3). She spent about 45 minutes checking his kidneys, bladder, heart, and lips. I wasn't really worried and I just enjoyed watching him kick and wiggle on the screen the entire time. She captured this shot of his foot for me and when she measured it she laughed out loud. Apparently my kid has big feet. They are already 2 inches long.



I haven't been back for a regular check up since I passed my 4 hour GD test. I am interested to hear what they say and if they'll want to check me again with a 1 hour screen in their office. I go in next week for my last monthly check up and then I'll be going every 2 weeks for the rest of the pregnancy. So far I'm feeling good, except for being a bit uncomfortable sleeping at night. Here's a shot of me and the little man with only 10 weeks to go!

Cruise 2009: Day 3

Day 3 was spent at sea and I'd have more pictures of it, but sadly it was a double ick combo of rainy and cold. Let's just say that with a toddler - who is not old enough by one stinkin month to attend the on board camp for kids - a 24 hour rain fest at sea can be difficult. Hence the reason for no pictures.

So I figured I would use day 3 to share animal towels with you. Never been on a cruise and no idea what I'm talking about? Besides taking care of you and cleaning the room your cruise steward is charged with creating these delightful cotton pals to greet you each evening.

No idea what this first one was. I should have consulted the towel buddy book. Yes, for the price of $19.99 you could buy the book teaching you the art of towel crafting. No, I did not buy one.


Unknown posing with an elephant.


This monkey guy was my favorite. We left him hanging there for the entire trip.


Mr. rabbit posing on Riley's bed with her beloved Elli.


She did not care for him being on her bed and eyed him warily...


before working up the courage to rescue Elli.


And swiping the offending towel creature to the floor so she could lay down.

Happy Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is a special day in our house because 6 years ago TG proposed to me on this day. For the last three years it's been even more special because we have shared it with our littlest Valentine.

Year 1. Oh my heart aches just looking at this photo. She was only 3 weeks old. My parents were in town and Matt picked up take out from Bonefish for dinner.


Year 2. Somehow I failed to get a photo of her! I wrote this post last year and she came to our school to celebrate with the kids. We had take out from Bonefish again.

Year 3. We tried to go to a different restaurant for brunch, but the wait time was too long for a hungry 2 year old demanding her chicken. So we headed to...you guessed it. Bonefish. :) Riley enjoyed eating bang bang shrimp with her chopsticks.




Hope you all had a Happy Valentine's Day with those you love!