I originally wanted to post a small update of our California vacation shortly after we arrived home. Obviously it didn't happen since we're a couple weeks post vacation. Another thing I didn't realize until we were, literally, driving back home:
This is the only picture I took during our entire vacation! Ironically we (well, I) didn't spend more than an hour in San Francisco the entire trip. (Side fact: I took this the weekend that the Golden Gate turned 75 years old!)
Years and years ago I had first heard the concept of a baby moon in a magazine: taking a trip as a couple during your pregnancy as the last "hurrah" before your baby arrives. I really thought it was sort of ridiculous. Why would someone want to drag their body somewhere far away when they can't always do fun activities?! Spoken like a true non-expectant woman.
Maybe it was just "the time" to head back home, maybe it was the fact that I was being blessed with a baby shower, maybe we needed a break from the PacNorWest, maybe it was time for our families to see my round-belly-self in person, or maybe it was the stress of moving at 6 1/2+ months pregnant within a week. In the end it really didn't matter what the reason was- we were heading home and we were beyond excited.
We're very lucky that both of our families live in California, and live within a good distance from each other to make visiting very easy. This time, however, we decided to mix things up. I had
been secretly stashing extra cash gifted a surf board to D as an early birthday/ anniversary gift. I knew he'd be spending insane amounts of time surfing to begin with but, with a new board in tow, his time at the beach would triple. So, we decided to take our own vacations: D would spend the week with his family and I would stay with mine.
I can't speak for D but from what he tells me he had a blast. I was equally in heaven! I slept in, (well, as much as a certain- ahem- dog would let me, being that he thinks 5:15am is an appropriate time to eat breakfast) I got to help my mom in her classroom, spent time with my niece, enjoyed my dad's cooking, spent time with the bestie, soaked up the heat, shopped, and was blessed with a beautiful baby shower. I also loved indulging in all of the things that our tiny town doesn't offer us everyday: amazing restaurants and nightlife (read: businesses open past 8pm)
I also greatly enjoyed the time with my family. A year ago I NEVER thought I'd have the chance to sit on the couch with my mom and watch Birdie girl roll and kick through my shirt. Or have a long laugh with my dad when Birdie kicked him SUPER hard after he poked her in the booty. I loved seeing family and friends that I don't always get to see every time we come home for a visit. It was fun and exciting as much as it was humbling and special.
Alas, our time in California came to a close waaaay to fast. With my dad's help I stuffed, squeezed and packed our car up and woke up suuuuper early to drive to San Fran (hence the picture) to pick D up from our friend's house. (New board + in same state as friend= boy surf session/ sleepover) Poor D had to drive most of the way back because I was just trying to stay comfortable and trying to keep from crying. We took our time getting back so a 12 hour drive turned in 15 hours.
We're now post-baby moon about two weeks and while we still greatly miss our families/ California we have had a lot going on to keep us distracted. It's surreal to think that the next time we travel home we will have a little on in tow. Whoa.
