R & R

Not that I need rest and relaxation too desperately... I've been a pretty lucky gal not to have to work while pregnant. While rocky it may be, financial-wise, it's been unbelievably nice not to have obligations such as early mornings and long days. Kudos to those who do it... you rock.

The trip I took to Florida was kind of an unexpected bonus. Thanks to the credit left to use from our Australia trip, we decided to use some of it to visit family. With my third trimester almost here (yikes!), my window for flying is coming to a close. And, after choosing the week of my vacation, Chris was hired on at a new job and was to start the day I was leaving. I think my pregnancy hormones had something to do with it, but I was hysterical the day before I left. I cried just thinking about leaving. At one point, Chris looked at me and said, "I didn't realize you were so attached to me." I guess I didn't either!

So, we may have done more had he come. But, truth be told - I felt like doing nothing more than being lazy. So that's what I was. Lazy. My sister Holly didn't mind at all - in fact, much of our time was spent lounging around the house with the kids, not ready for the day even one bit (aside from being awake) and looking like this.Talk about yuck-ville. Good times.

The rest of the time was spent getting to know the nephew and niece I never get to see.

Robby: Loves music. Only rock music. Dances like a rock star. Is smarter than any three-year old, or most teenagers, I know. Loves to tell jokes. Major poser.

Not only does he make a sweet Bono, this kid sure knows what tact is. When at a restaurant for dinner one evening, I came back to our table after using the ladies' room. I will never forget the question that came out of his mouth as I arrived and sat in my chair. "Did you poop on yourself?" he asked. I have no idea what was going on in that kid's head, but I was still chuckling several hours later.

Next, toward the end of the meal, our waiter came over to check on us. Robby, who loves Michael Jackson and is obsessed with "Black or White," took the liberty serenading him with his version of his favorite song. "... You're still my baby, it don't matter if you're black or white..." Talk about ironic. Our waiter happened to be African-American. Awesome.

Bree: Too Funny! LOVES food. Loves her mommy. Starting to put sentences together. Loves to play with her brother Robby and ALWAYS makes sure he is offered whatever she has. Abnormally thoughtful for an 18-month old.

At the same dinner I mentioned earlier, Bree was not interested in waiting to eat. This was obvious as she grabbed any plate she could reach and yelled "FOOD!" as loud as she could. She ate at least half of the giant turkey leg Holly got at Disneyworld when we were there.

She loves, loves, LOVES her brother. She'll ask for a drink (or anything, for that matter), and when it's handed to her, her first word is "Robby." Wanting to make sure her big brother gets the same thing, she'll say thank you after it's given to him. She sometimes will "feed" Robby by shoving whatever it is into his mouth, whether he wants it or not. It's quite entertaining.

I'm lucky enough to have visited Florida several times before, but there were some firsts for me this time. I had my first gelati (a combination of Italian gelato and ice cream), and a shake from Steak and Shake (both delicious). I visited Epcot for the first time in Disneyworld. We visited some new parks as well, and you'd think it was my first time feeding ducks. Maybe it was, I can't be sure. I'd hold out a cracker, and they'd take a snap at it - only to back away when I dropped it after snapping my hand back. I was a total wuss.

Here are some highlights.

Robby and I at this awesome park called Crane's Roost
Me, trying (and failing) to feed the ducks. See the cracker on the ground? I yanked my hand back so fast he couldn't even get near my hand. Like I said... total wuss.

I just can't get enough of this girl. Check out those cute little legs. You can't tell in this picture, but she's rocking black socks here. Love it.

My first time at Epcot, looking super nerd-tastic.

The Disneyland castle has NOTHING on this one.

It's seriously magical, and my favorite part of Disney.

Me and Hol. I don't see her enough. I laugh harder with her than with anyone. We missed you, Heather.

Robby and Bree wearing the cute Christmas shirts my sister Heather sent. She's a better aunt than me... pretty sure I don't send them stuff.

Did I mention Bree loves food?

That sweet little Robby tried to avoid saying goodbye to me the morning I left. As he looked up at me with tear-filled eyes, he made my heart sink. I miss these kids like crazy. And speaking of crazy, the next time I'll see them I'll have one of my own!

Our Tree(s)

Tree numero uno.

It's cute and little (and smaller than me... which never happens). And, it's real. We looked for our fake one in storage, only to remember that we gave it away... but don't remember who to. So, why not try a real one?

It was fun (for Chris) setting it up and getting it situated.
We put the lights on, put the star on top. I left for Florida on monday. Chris couldn't come because he started a new job, so it was his job to take care of the tree.

On wednesday or thursday, he informed me that he thought he killed it. He apparently didn't realize that he had to water it every day... and the next time he thought about it, the base was completely dry. Oops.

When I got home, I filled up the base, but apparently the sap formed over the trunk of the tree, and it wasn't thirsty anymore. It was, in fact, dead.

Enter: tree numero dos:

I was visiting my sister and she was giving this beauty to the D.I. So, I took it off her hands. Forget the real tree. This was free, it's not quite as small, and we can't kill it.

Works for us!

Juno and Paulie Bleaker?

Yeah, a little late... but keeping up on my blog hasn't been on my priority list for a while.

I know my stomach isn't nearly as big.... and Chris's colors are opposite. But, similar?

Either way, it was fun. And one of the most comfortable costumes ever, I might add.