Hawaii Trip: Day #1 - Saturday - Huggo's on the Rock's

Lunch at Huggo's on the Rock's in Kailua-Kona
We arrived at around 3:30, they took our order at 4pm, and we finally got our food (Everyone but Jenny) at 4:40pm and Jenny got her food at 5pm and we ordered additional food at 5pm since several of us (mainly me and Jon) were still very hungry.

Dining in the sand


View from Huggo's










Brian and Jon at lunch


Jenny & Alan at lunch


Jessica and Erika at lunch




Ashlee & Brian


The little crabs that were behind us on the rock at lunch








The view from our table






Brian and his beer at lunch


Brian the shark, Jon the mermaid, and Alan the sea turtle

Hawaii Trip: Day #1 - Saturday - Kailua-Kona Farmers Market

Our first day in Hawaii was amazing. My times are probably not too accurate, since I haven't paid too much attention to time since I'm on vacation but I'll approximate. :) We slept in until 10:30am (although we went to bed after 3am, so it wasn't really sleeping in too much), and then we got showered and dressed and headed out to the Kailua-Kona Farmers Market.

Photos taken from our balcony (Lanai)




Brian


Brian


Erika


Ashlee & Brian

At the Kailua-Kona Farmers Market
Jon & Brian (Brian is laughing since Jon called me a pumpkin)


Erika & Jessica


Ashlee, Jenny, Jessica & Erika


The tropical birds we saw while walking around

Hawaii Trip: Friday - Travel Day

Friday started as an early morning. We finished packing, took care of the animals, and ran a few errands around town. Then we met up with the group and headed to the train station. We took the train to LAX airport, had 'On the Border' for lunch (at the airport, once we made it through security), and settled in for our 5 hour flight. The flight was relatively uneventful. The doctor advised me that I needed to wear support hose, drink double the amount of water, and walk on the hour every hour while on the plane. I thought walking that often would drive me crazy, but every hour on the hour my legs would start twitching and I was dying to walk anyway. We arrived around 10:30pm PST, and 8:30pm Hawaii time. After we arrived we got our bags and rented our car (we were upgraded to a convertible, so we're driving around in a Chrysler Sebring), and then spent the next 2 and 1/2 hours looking for our condo. FINALLY, we found the condo, and settled in. At 1am, we decided to go out for our first Hawaiian meal... to Denny's :) After a (relatively good, anything is good when you're really hungry, right?) meal we headed home and to bed. And that was our travel day to Hawaii.

Baby Shopping List

I got an e-mail from Parents.com this morning that has an 'essential shopping list' so I went through it and edited my registry per its instructions. This is what I came up with. It's crazy to think, the baby is going to be here in around 115 days, this registry list isn't for a hypothetical baby, it's for the one growing inside me right now. It's just an amazing thought. I figured I'd load my registry with as much stuff as possible. Then when the baby is here I can use my coupons I get for % off of un-purchased stuff to get anything I didn't get. Plus, it helps me keep track of all the essentials! I can't believe a little person needs so much stuff! Ha!

~Around The House~
Nursery furniture
It's nice to have:
__X_Changing table
____ Bassinet (though it's only safe until 3 months or 15 pounds) On registry
__X_Rocking chair or glider
__X_Humidifier or vaporizer Possibly looking into buying a smaller one
____ Hamper On registry

No-nos:
*A secondhand crib (get a new one for safety) I actually have searched a lot of secondhand cribs, but I think we're just going to stay away from a crib in general

Linens
The necessities:
____ 2 fitted crib sheets On registry
__X_Several thin cotton receiving blankets we also have 5 we were given
____ 2 waterproof mattress protectors On registry

No-nos:
*Pillows (a SIDS risk)
*Sleep positioners (yet another SIDS risk)
*Mattress padding (ditto)

Babyproofing
The necessities (not an issue until 4 months or later): Our situation is going to be 'unique' as well so we'll need to figure this out as wel go
____ Gates at the top and bottom of all stairs We have a gate at the bottom of the stairs, will need one for the top, or possibly will have moved by the time we'd need one
____ Cabinet latches will probably need
____ Drawer latches will probably need
____ Outlet covers On registry

It's nice to have:
____ Toilet lock will probably need
____ Corner guards for low tables probably won't need

~Feeding~
For breastfeeding
The necessities:
____ Nursing pillow on registry
__X_2-3 nursing bras
____ 2-3 boxes of nursing pads Looking at buying a box of disposables and then making some re-usable ones
____ 6 or more cotton bibs on registry
____ 6 or more burp cloths (cloth diapers do the job) Need to ask mom to make me some and need to pick up a pack of cloth diapers

It's nice to have:
____ Breast milk storage bags or containers will decide on later
____ Several bottles and nipples if someone else will be feeding baby pumped breast milk will decide on later
__X_Nipple cream (for the first few weeks)

Solid-food feeding
The necessities (not an issue until 4 to 6 months):
____ High chair on registry
____ Plastic bibs on registry
____ Infant feeding spoons on registry
____ Infant bowl will pick up later

It's nice to have:
____ Mess mat for under the high chair Need to find smaller one
____ Baby food mill (if you're ambitious enough to puree your own baby food) on registry

~Basic Baby Care~
For diapering
The necessities:
____ 2 packs of newborn diapers to start on registry
____ Wipes on registry
____ Diaper rash ointment Butt Paste on registry
____ Waterproof changing table pad on registry
____ 2-3 changing table pad covers (usually cotton or terry cloth) on registry
____ Diaper pail or trash can with a lid will buy

It's nice to have:
____ 4-5 waterproof square or rectangular pads for under baby's bottom (protecting the cover that's protecting the pad -- you won't be sorry) on registry
____ Baby cream (if your baby has dry skin) on registry
____ Non-talc powder (to help the diaper area dry faster) want to buy cornstarch

Strictly optional:
____ A wipe warmer probably won't get
____ A diaper stacker (though they're pretty) on registry

For bathing and grooming
The necessities:
__X_2 hooded towels I have about 8 I swear
____ 4 washcloths on registry
____ Infant tub (for after the umbilical cord falls off) not sure about
____ Bath seat or inflatable tub-within-a-tub (for after 6 months) not sure about
____ Baby bath wash on registry
____ Baby shampoo on registry
____ Baby comb and brush set on registry
____ Nail scissors/nail clippers/nail file set on registry
_X_ Cotton swabs
____ Cotton balls Need to purchase

It's nice to have:
____ Bath toys
____ Mesh bag to hold bath toys
____ Bath thermometer

Strictly optional:
____ A baby-size robe (it's hard enough to get baby dressed in her real clothes!) On Registry

Clothing
The necessities:
____ 7 or more snap-crotch bodysuits/onesies
____ 3-4 T-shirts and/or side-snap shirts
____ Several snap-up rompers
____ Several shirt-and-pant sets
____ 7 pairs of pajamas and/or sleeping gowns
____ Sun hat
____ Cold-weather hat
____ Cardigan sweater
____ Bunting or snowsuit if it gets cold
____ 6 pairs of booties and/or socks
____ Baby hangers for the closet

It's nice to have:
____ A special outfit to bring baby home in and/or show her off
____ Several diaper covers
____ A wearable sleep sack, to use instead of a blanket

Strictly optional:
____ Shoes (until baby is walking outside, i.e., the toddler years)

~Going Out~
The necessities:
____ Car seat that fits a newborn on registry
____ Stroller that accommodates a newborn on registry
____ Diaper bag filled with diapers, wipes, and a spare outfit Mom's going to make me a diaper bag, and then I'll have to make sure it's stocked!
__X__Front carrier, like a Snugli or Baby Bjorn We have a Beco carrier that works as a front or back carrier

It's nice to have:
____ Sling (for the newborn stage) mom's making!
__X_Baby backpack (for after 6 months) Beco will work
____ Stroller that your car seat fits onto on registry
____ Rain cover for the stroller on registry
__X_Warm blanket or "boot" to wrap baby in during winter strolls
____ Sunshades for the car windows on registry
__X_Big diaper bag for overnight trips

No-nos:
*Mirror to see baby in the car (it can be a hazard if there's an accident) I still have one on my registry, I'll look into it, but I'd prefer to see the baby safely then have to turn around constantly
*A secondhand car seat (always get a new one)

~Just for Fun~
First toys
No necessities, but it's nice to have:
____ Soft books and board books on registry
____ Rattles on registry
____ Plastic links on registry
____ Soft blocks on registry
____ Activity gym/play mat on registry
____ Crib mirror on registry
____ Toys that attach to the stroller on registry
____ Something plush that crinkles, rattles, and squeaks on registry
____ Baskets to store toys in all the key places: baby's room, the living room, the kitchen on registry

No-nos:
*Car seat toy bars (an added risk if there's an accident)

For sitting baby in
The necessities:
__X__ Stationary activity center (once baby is 4 months old)
__X__Heavy blankets and quilts to lay on the floor

It's nice to have:
____ Swing on registry
____ Portable play yard on registry

No-nos:
*Walker (get a stationary center instead, for safety)
*Jumper (also generally considered unsafe)

~When Something's Wrong~
For soothing
The necessities:
____ Several pacifiers (try different brands to see which one your baby prefers) I have registered for a few different types
____ Mobile for over the crib or changing table on registry
____ Lullaby CDs or other soothing music I have a few CDs now, I'll look into others though

It's nice to have:
____ Music box made for the crib Look into

The medicine cabinet
The necessities:
__X__ Thermometer
____ Petroleum jelly Need to buy
____ Infant Tylenol
____ Nasal aspirator
____ Electrolyte drink (such as Pedialyte, to treat dehydration) Will purchase later

It's nice to have:
____ Teething ointment or other teething remedy Will purchase later
____ Vapor cream and/or vapor bath Will purchase later
____ Saline nose drops Will purchase later
____ Antigas medicine Will purchase later

House - To-Do

February: Upstairs
I want every drawer, cupboard, closet, etc, to have been completely cleaned out, organized/re-organized, to work as efficiently as possible, and to make it as easy as possible to move.

Piles:
*We use now (on an every day/weekly basis)
*We want to take with us next year
*To store
*To sell/donate
*Trash (broken, stained, etc)

Office
~Chinchilla's - take inventory of supplies, re-organize supplies
~Teaching Supplies - Put together stuff to sell, organize stuff to keep
~Desk Supplies - take inventory, toss anything that isn't working
~Papers - shred, file, toss
~Books - Any to sell?

Bedroom
~Clothes (this is actually pretty much done, we've gotten rid of the clothes we don't use, and the clothes that don't fit because of the pregnancy are stored to use post-pregnancy)
~Closet - Go through again to make sure that it just has clothes and bags/purses in it
~Cedar Chest - repair the one latch, clean out so appropriate things are being stored in there
~Books - Any to sell?

Upstairs Bath
~Toss expired items (this was done recently, but I want to double check everything)
~Take an inventory of items on hand (so items we have are used first before purchasing new items)

March & April: Downstairs
March is such a busy month I think it may take the 2 months to get enough time to work on the house

Living Room
~DVDs - Cases and Organization
~Decorations/Shot Glasses/knick knacks - Storage

Dining Room
~Closet - take inventory
~China Cabinet - Pack away for storage
~Side table - Pack away for storage

Kitchen
~Cupboards - Inventory/pack items away for storage

Laundry Room
~Organize/Re-Organize cupboards and room

To do before the baby arrives

• Finish reading my stack of novels
• Go to the dermatologist about my keloid (must be done by 3/09 anyway)
• Decide what we're taking with us on the road, what is being donated/given away, what is being stored
• Find a work-at-home job that I can start ASAP and continue part time at least after the baby makes his or her arrival
• Transfer childhood VHS tapes (of birthday's, etc, not movies) to DVD
• ....
• To be continued...
  

Christmas Survey

Since Jacque did it first :)

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Wrapping paper, definitely, and I'm not opposed to wrapping it, putting it into a bigger box and wrapping again. :)

2. Real tree or Artificial?
I'd much much much prefer real, but the last 3 years have been artificial, California is WAY too expensive to have a real tree.

3. When do you put up the tree?
Typically it's the week after Thanksgiving.

4. When do you take the tree down?
Umm... you know, I'm not sure, before New Years normally (I think)

5. Do you like eggnog?
I love eggnog, yum! I've never had it spiked though (and couldn't have it spiked this year if I wanted to)

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
My parents always did an awesome job with Christmas presents, not sure my favorite though.

7. Hardest person to buy for?
My brother, what does one buy for a 16 year old boy??

8. Easiest person to buy for?
My sister, I can always think of a million things to get her.

9. Do you have a nativity scene?
I do, it's a Willow Tree set that I love.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Mail! I am with Jacque on this year though, I am actually doing New Years 'holiday' cards :)

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
umm... not one I could think of

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
I'm a fan of the made for TV Christmas movies. And of course the 'classic' cartoon movies

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
Usually once Thanksgiving is over Christmas shopping begins. I sometimes pick up 'sale' items earlier, but I try to not think of Christmas until after Thanksgiving, otherwise it takes all the excitement out of it.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
I'm not into re-gifting

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Crab Legs!!!

16. Lights on the tree?
White lights, I love white lights on Christmas trees

17. Favorite Christmas song?
I love hearing a variety, too much of one song drives me nuts. I love 'Silent Night' though, it'll always be a huge favorite.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
Well, I'd rather stay home, I'm a homebody that way. But I LOVE being with family on Christmas and if that involves traveling then I'm up for it!

19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer?
ugh... Dancer and Dasher and Prancer and Vixon and Comic and Cupid and Doner and Vixon and Rudolph... was that right? That's how the song goes in my head, hehe!

20. Angel on the tree-top or a star?
I have neither, I'd prefer a star though, one day we'll find one we love

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
Christmas Morning, definitely Christmas morning

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
MALLS and TRAFFIC (ugh!), I wish it was Christmas Joy and Happiness and Contentment and not Christmas stress

23. Favorite ornament theme or color?
We've done Gold and Maroon for all 4 years we've been married. We may do a new theme next year. We'll see :)

24. Favorite food for Christmas dinner?
didn't I already say this??? Crab Legs, duh!

25. What do you want for Christmas this year?
An amazing day with my family