Perfectly Imperfect (You've Got The Love)

It's one of those days around here.

It's Monday. And I'm tired.

We spend a whirl-wind weekend in the Bay Area. It included two very long drives, two bouts of screaming by a overly tired/ hungry infant (both at times when I couldn't stop or pull over), a GPS that got me lost, extra late nights, and extra exerted energy that's required when traveling with a baby.

It also included lots and lots of family and family friends who were meeting Birdie for the first time. In the midst of enjoying each other's company I tried my best to push away the thought that we will have to part eventually. Visits are never long enough.

It included an extremely short visit with friends who are our surrogate family. Why can't we make it a law that you have to live next door to all of your bestest friends, no matter where life takes you? Seeing them together reminded me how much I miss D. The little kisses, the playfulness, the cuddles. Ouch... I miss that.

It includes a nasty sinus infection. Pressure, runny nose, and gunk of all sorts. I don't really have a voice and if I can squeak anything out I sound like a teenage boy. Hot tea, honey, a netti pot are barely helping.

It includes a Birdie- girl who is tired from being tired. Who wants to nurse more than usual and who wakes the second I put her down. Who graced me with a huge blow out that spread to my already dirty yoga pants. .... Yep... still wearing them.

It includes two wound-up doggies that were angels at the kennel over the weekend but are making me pay today for their built up energy. Duly noted, dogs.

All of this makes one hot mess mama who is just tired. Who wants to shower but is just too lazy. Who is picking fights with D over the details of moving amongst other things. I know he's just as tired as I am.

And, then, in the midst of all this.

Her smile.

You win, little bird.

Let's go do some serious cuddling.

---

Baby Moon

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.

Smorgasbord

Final collection of vacation pictures. 

 Wifey, McKenzie, Gage, Wyatt, and D

"This band is hardcore!" 

 The Haunted Mansion is my ab-so-lute favorite ride when they change it to The Nightmare Before Christmas

The decor as you're getting on the ride

 My favorite picture

 Wy is the craziest driver!

 Everyone on Autopia

 Small World

D (and others) being honored at the flag ceremony for their enlistment

(Very cool ceremony if you have a chance to see it. I cried.)

Wyatt getting warmed up at his water polo game

 I met this hottie and took him home

 Game face

 On our looong drive home we stopped at Shasta Lake (CA) for a stretch break

Same picture as above but zoomed in

Shredding the Gnar

Since I'm no longer a walking infectious virus, I thought I should finish posting vacation pictures. 

D was obsessively beyond excited to surf in Southern California. Unfortunately a few days before our long trip he accidently delaminated his surf board. After frustration and, yes, even tears D finally tracked down a new board for a great price. 

The weather was pretty cruddy while we were in San Clemente but that didn't stop D from surfing as much as he could. These are pictures from just one of those sessions. 

Snapshots from Fresno

 Photos from the Big Fresno Fair

 

 

 Hamster children running on water.

 Mmm... cinnamon rolls to put you into a sugar coma.

 Love this girl more than anything

 Niece and aunt

 Two generations of aunts and a niece.

She kills me

Apologies

So I might be a liar. In my previous post I said I would come back to post vacation pictures. 

That might not be entirely true. I left my camera cord back at home. (By home I mean WA-home)

While trying to get on the road at 9am this morning I accidently left my camera charger at my parent's house. Of course, my camera battery is dead. 

Whoops. 

FIL happens to have the same camera charger as me but I'm not sure if I have a cord to borrow. 


However, I will not apologize for how many times I/ we've eaten at this place the past week. 

And no apologies for D's face... we were both deleriously (even a word?) hungry.

Final Days in California

Got to see our itty bitty kitty, Dallas. She's not so itty bitty anymore.

Besties

Tree and acorn

Stopped by to see my Lilli-vanilli. She'll be 4 this year!

Putting chapstick on Bogey

She was NOT happy that we had to go.

Bugged my big bro at work.

Delightful grilled cheese and limeade from Sonic. Didn't even think to get a picture of any of the four times we went to In-n-Out.

I think it's after driving for 7 hours that you start to have a mini photo shoot in your car.

That's right- the lil pup uses an airplane pillow. He's classy like that.