23 Month Newsletter

Dear Rory -
Today I sat writing out the invitations to your 2nd birthday party, and it wasn't until I was halfway through them that I realized exactly what I was doing - WRITING OUT INVITATIONS TO YOUR SECOND BIRTHDAY PARTY! - Holy cow! Obviously I've been in complete denial over the fact that you are turning two, even though I've planned your party and have everything ready to go. Everything, that is, except ME.

I'M NOT READY.

But apparently what I think is not important, because the truth of the matter is that March 10th is coming quickly, and I'm going to have to come to terms with the fact that I will soon be the mother of a two year old child. A very fiesty, opinionated, fast-moving child, but a two year old, none the less. Oye.

But enough about me. Let's talk about YOU.

This month I can honestly say that I'm seeing your true personality come to life. There's no doubt that you know EXACTLY what you do and don't like - and you aren't afraid of expressing it - EVERY CHANCE YOU GET. Here are some examples:

- DISLIKE: Getting your diaper changed - My GOD, child, can't you just hold still for a second? I'm pretty sure that I'm one of the quickest diaper-changers on the planet right now, and it STILL isn't fast enough for you. And your displeasure comes with kicking. Which makes it one of Mama's least favorite things to do, too.

- DISLIKE: Drinking anything but apple juice - Repeat after me. "Hello. My Name is Rory, and I am a juice-aholic." It may only be 1/3 juice and 2/3 water, but heaven help me if I don't get the ratio EXACTLY RIGHT.

- DISLIKE: Being left in the church nursery - we're able to leave you with babysitters at home now (hurray!), but we have yet to conquer leaving you in child care on Sundays. Five weeks in counting and you are still crying as though we're leaving you FOREVER. I wish we could make you understand that Mama and Dada ALWAYS come back.

- LIKE: Dora the Explorer- Okay, so it's kind of the same show over and over again, but watching you sing along and wave your arms to the "I Did It" song at the end makes the repetitiveness worth it.

- LIKE: Eating - Apples, apple bars, apple juice (seeing a trend here?), not to mention whatever someone ELSE is eating. I haven't been able to eat anything lately without seeing your head pop up over the plate and hearing you say "Hey, Roro eat that!" or "Little Bite, Pleeeeeese!" No wonder I'm losing weight.

- LIKE: Going to Gymboree classes - Let me tell you, people, Gymboree may be pricey, but it's been worth every single penny. You absolutely LOVE it, and therefore, so do we! And you plays so hard while you're there that you nap for at least 2-3 hours afterwards, and that in itself is PRICELESS.

- LIKE: Music - Your love of music has absolutely exploded, and during a rare time when you're not rocking out on your guitar or banging on your drums, you are singing and dancing all over place. And I LOVE IT. Watching you shake your groove thing and wave your arms around makes your dad and I dizzy with pride and joy. It's truly one of the best things ever.



The other best thing ever is finally being able to put you down to sleep with a kiss and then walking out the door. No more sitting on the floor waiting for you to fall asleep, no more tip-toeing out while trying to avoid the creaks in the floor. We just say goodnight and LEAVE. And amazingly, you are OKAY WITH THAT. How this happened, I'm not sure, but why question a good thing, right?

Speaking of good things, have I mentioned how much I've been enjoying being your mama this month? You and I have spent A LOT of time together these last few weeks since Nana and Papa were out of town, and although it took some tinkering, we finally found our rhthymn together. It may have taken almost TWO YEARS, but I think we're starting to get the hang of this mother-son thing. And it's WONDERFUL.

Happy 23 months, little man.

Love,
Mama

Introducing the Next Child Guitar Playing Prodigy..

My kid can ROCK...

A Day for Stacys Everywhere!

Yesterday, this package was delivered to my door step:



I opened it and found all this:



Apparently, Stacy's Pita Chips (which already happen to be a family favorite) did a big promotional campaign yesterday that included delivering one of these gift boxes to everyone in California with the name STACY. How cool is that! The box included five different chip flavors, "I LOVE STACY" stickers, coupons for more chips, and a mailer that allows me to select a friend to get a free gift box just like mine. (Any takers?)

It's the first time my name has ever come in handy :)

Happy Stacy Day to me!

More Than a Little Oops

On Thursday I had to take Rory to the local Urgent Care for yet another sinus infection. The doctor prescribed something called Duratan, and since I haven't had much luck with my regular pharmacy carrying liquid medications for infants, I asked the doctor to recommend a different pharmacy. He told me that The Medicine Shoppe usually has these types on medicines in stock, and it was conveniently located across the street, so Rory and I headed over there.

Okay, so the place smelled a bit like old cigarette smoke and cheap air freshener, and the woman at the counter barely spoke English, but hey, who am I to judge? I picked up Rory's prescription, went over the dosage details with the pharmacy assistant, verified that Rory should take 1 teaspoon every 12 hours, and left.

Since I've never given Rory this type of medication before, I decided to read the bottle for possible side effects to look out for and happened to glance at the dosage directions. And here's what I saw, "Adults- 1 Tsp every 12 hours". Um, wait a second, isn't that what Rory is supposed to be taking? Why would Rory need to take the adult dosage? Something wasn't right.

So I called the pharmacy back and said "I'm a little concerned over the fact that my son's medication says that the adult dosage is 1 teaspoon, and that's how much I'm supposed to be giving my son - AND HE'S NOT EVEN TWO YET. What's up with that?" So the person put me on hold and got the pharmacist on who says to me in broken English, "Oooooh, so sorry, Miss. Make mistake. Supposed to be 1/4 a teaspoon, not 1 teaspoon." WHAT!!!! You're so sorry? I almost gave my son FOUR TIMES the dose he was supposed to get. I could have KILLED him. And you're just "sorry"? ARE YOU KIDDING ME???

Needless to say, we won't be going back to the Medicine Shoppe in Camarillo. Ever. And neither should you.

Top Five Things That Annoy Your Coffee Barista: Part 2

Back by popular demand...

1) People who spend ten minutes holding up my line complaining to me that Starbucks doesn't offer enough low calorie items for people who are watching their weight, and then they finally go on to order a venti caramel mocha Frappuccino with whipped cream and extra chocolate and caramel drizzle both on top and in the cup. I'm getting a sugar headache just thinking about it.

2) Fellow Starbucks employees who come into the store on their time off and order the most obnoxious, time-consuming beverages they can think of, especially when it's BUSY. One girl actually asked specifically for ten ice cubes in her drink, and when I handed it to her, she asked, "Did you count them?" I looked her straight in the eye while trying to keep up with a rush of drink orders and said, "NOPE. Have a nice day!" You Starbucks people know what it's like behind the counter - give your fellow partners a friggin' break and save the complicated drink orders for when you are on shift and can make them your damn self.

3) People who leave their trash on the tables. There are garbage cans EVERYWHERE - not to mention the ones right next to the doors on your way out. There is NO excuse for leaving your garbage laying around and it's insulting to those of us who have to pick it up. Do you really have so little respect for people in the food service industry? What you people need is to walk a day in our shoes...

4) People who bring their little dogs into our store. I hate to break it to you folks, but they are DOGS, not people, no matter how many cute tiny sweaters you may dress them in. Dogs have FUR, and fur SHEDS. Enough said. So don't give me grief when I tell you that we don't allow dogs in the store - because I, like most people, prefer my lattes fur-less.

and last but not least...

5) I thought that people just talking on their cell phones while ordering was bad, but I've actually found something that's WORSE - people who ANSWER their cell phone while ordering! Let's face it, in this age of technology, we ALL have voice mail. Is it going to kill you to let the phone ring for a second while you finish ordering so we can get to the next person in line? As as I've said before, just HANG UP YOUR DAMN PHONES people!

Sighhh. Yeah, it's just been one of those weeks...

The Alphabet Song

Yeah. My kid is DAMN CUTE.

Pucker Up!

Oops...

The other evening, we were walking home from the grocery store with Rory in his stroller. We stopped at the corner, where there was a car waiting to turn right who was blocking the cross walk. The driver looked over in our direction and saw that we were waiting to cross the street, so without looking, he threw his car in reverse to make way for us in the cross walk - and totally smashed into a car that was also waiting to turn right behind him. Ugh! We felt TERRIBLE. Luckily, no one was hurt, but I don't think that mattered much to the two people involved in the accident. All we could hear were cuss words flying as we continued home feeling awful... with Rory repeating "Cars go CRASH!!" over and over again.

What a bummer...

Month 21 and Month 22 Newsletter PLUS A Mariposa Christmas 2006

Dear Rory -

Okay, so I'm running a little behind on your monthly newsletters, but since you've been the one keeping me so busy, I'm hoping that you'll let it slide. These last few months have been a whirlwind of holiday activity in our festive interfaith household - and it's only made it more crazy having a Mama that works in retail during the biggest shopping season of the year. But although it's been a bit exhausting, it's been wonderful watching you take it all in with that enormous sponge brain of yours. You have loved reading about the 8 nights of Hanukkah, especially pretending to spin the dreidal and eat latkes (you like pretending to feed all of your stuffed animals some latkes, too!) You also became OBSESSED with your very first DVD, The Polar Express, which taught you about the North Pole and Santa Claus, as well as one of your new favorite sayings "Watch the MOOOOOVIE!".

The holidays also meant our annual Christmas trip up to Mariposa to visit with your grandparents on the Pearce side, which is ALWAYS an adventure. (For those of you who are not familiar with Mariposa, a tiny, rural town just outside of Yosemite, you should check out a more descriptive post here.) It's the kind of place where people have wood burning stoves that they actually chop their own wood for (see your Papa Stan below) and people have bumper stickers on their cars that read "Man + Woman = Marriage."



As always, you had your fair share of soda pop from Grandma Judy and watched your five year old cousin Joaquin play with pocket knives, but this year, instead of being given a BB gun as a gift, you and your cousin were actually given your very own machetes. REAL ONES. But yours came with a leather carrying case that could be strapped onto your little leg because as your Uncle Dubby said, you "might be a bit too young to just carry it around on your own". Thanks, Uncle Dubby...

Actually, aside from the machete, you got some pretty terrific, more, um, age-appropriate gifts, including your own little vacuum cleaner and a little motor bike from your grandparents that is sure to make you the envy of all the other boys on our block. I think your face would have split in half if you had smiled any bigger:



You also got to spend some quality time with your cousins and grandparents, and that, in itself, is priceless.





Speaking of priceless, now that you are practically speaking in sentences, some of the things that come out of your mouth are definitely noteworthy enough to be mentioned here:

- "BATCHIPOSA" - your way of saying "Mariposa"
- "CARRY YOU" - which means, carry me
- "ELMO-ZOE-ROCCO!" - your demand for a specific episode of Sesame Street
- "MORE BOOTY PLEEEZ" - Now, now, it's not what you think! This is your way of asking for more Pirates Booty from Trader Joes aka crack for toddlers.
- "MAMA ALL DONE!" - The new way you ask to get out of your high chair since I always say that you can't get down until I'm done eating. (You sneaky devil, you!)
- "WAITING...CHANGE!!!" - The endless demand that we hear in the car for your favorite song by John Mayor, "Waiting for the World to Change".
- "STARBUCKS - VANILLA MILK! - Well, this one is pretty self explanatory, and I guess a hazard of your Mama's job, eh?

I'm sure I'll think of more, but these are the gems for now. You amaze us everyday with the new words that you're picking up - it's one of the highlights of my day to see what's going to come out of your mouth next.

I have to say that in these last two months, I really feel like we are beginning to find our rhythm as mother and son. As other kids your age start heading towards their "terrible twos", and scaring their parents with sudden personality changes, it seems to me like you are just getting better and better. Yes, you have your melt downs and your tantrums, but we're able to communicate so much more now and usually we are able to resolve things fairly quickly and get back to having fun. And I love that. I love playing "boo" with you and watching your eyes light up when you help me vacuum the house or we read your favorite book. I am SO PROUD of you, Rory - you are unbelievably smart (sometimes almost TOO smart for your own good!), and I wonder if you know how much I beam when people tell me how impressed they are with your ever growing vocabulary. "He's not even TWO?!" they always say and I think to myself, "I KNOW! Isn't he AMAZING?" And you are. You REALLY are. In EVERY way.

Happy 22 Months, little man.

Love,
Mama

Just thought you all should know...

That I can't breathe through my nose. AT ALL.

I am truly miserable.

Tagged

Okay, okay - I usually don't do this sort of thing, but I was "tagged" by my friend Amanda, who I don't think usually does this sort of thing either...so why the heck not?!

My 3 Things...

3 Things that scare me:
* Fire
* Heights (I'm only 5'1", so obviously God didn't intend for me to be far off the ground!)
* The idea of my son Rory getting hurt

3 People who make me laugh:
* My husband, Hoby - have you met him? He's a total dork :)
* Rory - especially when he dances. It's TOO funny!
* My friend Allison who lives on the east coast. We have some terrific inside jokes from our college days at Humboldt State ("Say it with me now - MIATA!" Ha ha ha!). We don't talk as often as I'd like, but when we do, her sarcastic sense of humor makes me roll on the floor and cry with laughter. Boy, do I miss her...

3 Things I love:
* My family and friends
* Singing to the radio in my car with the windows down
* Reading a good book

3 Things I hate:
* People who talk on their cell phones while you are trying to take their order at Starbucks. Hang up your damn phone, people!
* Saying "No" all day long to my son. (The terrible twos have started early!)
* Getting up in the morning. I am NOT, and will NEVER BE a morning person!

3 Things I do not understand:
* How to get Rory to listen to me more often
* Why religion is the cause of so many wars
* why food that tastes good is bad for you and why healthy food costs more

3 Things on my desk:
* Wow! For the first time in my life, I can actually say that I don't have a desk!

3 Things I am doing right now:
* Blogging
* Trying to get over the Flu and a cold :(
* Craving chocolate and peanut butter (even thought I probably couldn't taste it right now anyways!)

3 Things I want to do before I die:
* Go to Israel
* Write a book
* Get this parenting thing under control!

3 Things I can do:
* Play the cello (really!)
* Stand up for what I believe in (and trust me, it can get me in trouble)
* Pack a suitcase really well. (Think "Optimum Space Value")

3 Things I can not do:
* Throw a Frisbee (really, it's ridiculous but true)
* wrap a present (thank goodness for bags!)
* Do math in my head on the fly

3 Things I think you should listen to:
* John Mayor's Continuum CD - I'm hopelessly addicted
* The Garden State Sound Track
* Anything by Sarah Mclaughlin or Dave Matthews Band

3 Things you should never listen to:
* BARNEY!!!!
* The B-52's
* Did I mention BARNEY? Ugh!

3 Things I'd like to learn:
* to speak Spanish fluently (I Do live in California, after all!)
* to sew with a sewing machine
* To drive a stick shift

3 Favorite foods:
* Gyros
* Sushi (Dynamite rolls rock my world!)
* Lobster

3 Beverages I drink regularly:
* Iced Chai Lattes from the 'Bucks
* Iced Chai Lattes from the 'Bucks
* Iced Chai Lattes from the 'Bucks (see a trend here?)

3 Shows I watched as a kid:
* Growing Pains
* Smurfs
* Fame

3 People I'm tagging:
* Sara
* Cherylynn
* Kristie

Dreidal Ornaments?

Found this item in the Crate and Barrel catalog and couldn't help but laugh at the irony... most people who play with dreidals would not have a use for Christmas tree ornaments!

But I'll be buying some, of course. :)

20 Month Newsletter

Dear Rory -

Recently you turned twenty months old - that's TWO ZERO, people! - and it's such a BIG number that I've been considering just calling you a year and a half when people ask because saying that you're "twenty months" just sounds awkward (doesn't it?). Although it's kinda sad to think that you're so old now that I'm actually going to stop referring to your age in terms of months. WOW.

You've become such a little PERSON this past month, Ro, and you're so full of personality that you little body can barely contain it all. You're talking up a storm - I swear you say at least three new words a day - and you're even starting to put together some short sentences and sing bits of songs, which never fails to surprise me. When I realized that I could begin humming something and you would chime in with the words (like "RO RO RO BOOOOAT" or "SHINKLE SHINKLE ITTLE STARRR"), well, my mouth just dropped open in amazement. And you totally looked at me like, "Geez - I've known these songs for AGES! Duh, Mom!" I guess I slightly underestimated how much information that brain of yours could hold. And if your off-the-charts head circumference is any indication, I'm sure you'll keep on wowing me with your brain powers for years to come.

I've also noticed lately that not only are you smart, but sometimes you're actually TOO smart for your own good. For instance, you can now open every child safety latch in the house, you've figured out how to use our car keys to get into and START our cars, and most recently, you've realized that you can open and close the automatic windows in the car from your car seat with your toes. And these are just the highlights of a long list of things that keep your father and I busy 24/7. I realize that the word "NO" has taken over my vocabulary lately and I apologize for that, but try to understand that I love you and I want you to be safe. I hate being the "Mean Mama" and giving you time-outs, so give me a break every once in awhile and surprise me by actually listening the FIRST time I tell you to do something. Let me feel like I'm the boss sometimes, okay?

But even though there has been a battle of wills going on at our house lately, you've still had plenty of time to indulge in your obsession with Elmo. I have a hard time denying you your furry red monster because I think your rapidly expanding vocabulary is in large part due to him. And it's the only time of day that you sit still for longer than five minutes. You've now figured out how to work the TiVo remote so you can turn on the T.V., find an episode of Sesame Street, and then fast forward to the part with Elmo in it. It's a little scary, actually. And yes, I know how bad T.V. is supposed to be for kids and all, but you've learned so much from Sesame Street and there are definitely worse things you could be watching. (Like BARNEY! Ugh!)

There are other things you love besides Elmo, like:
- Eating Pirates Booty from Trader Joes
- Doing ollies on Dada's skateboard (on carpet, of course!)
- Pushing down sprinkler heads (it's a long story...)
- Drinking vanilla milks at Starbucks
- Sipping Dada's beer and coffee
- Removing your socks - you LOVE to be barefoot just like your hippie mama
- Scrubbing the blinds with your tooth brush (don't ask.)
- Shoving whole bananas in your mouth
- Dancing to almost any music (your favorite right now is the "Fruit Dance" from Sesame Street
- and last but not least, washing your hands after pretending to use your training potty

I know that we butt heads a lot lately, Buddy, but I want you to know that no matter how exasperated I may seem to get, I love you unconditionally. You are my baby boy and you make me so proud of you EVERY DAY. I'll get the hang of this toddler parenting thing eventually - I promise. Just hang in there with me until then, okay?

Love,
Mama

Yes, You ARE at Starbucks

Yesterday, this woman came into Starbucks with the kind of attitude where she thinks that people who work behind counters are obviously beneath her and she orders a Caramel Ice Blended. Okay, at Starbucks we call them Caramel Frappucinos (Ice Blendeds are a Coffee Bean thing) but no biggie, we baristas are used to this. So I called out "Caramel Frappucino" to the person making the drinks, which caused the following ridiculous conversation to take place between me and the Lady with a 'Tude:

Her: Excuse me, but I ordered a CARAMEL ICE BLENDED. I don't know what you just said, but that's not what I ordered.

Me: Yes, I know you want a Caramel Ice Blended. But we call them Caramel Frappucinos here.

She just glares at me and hands me her card. Her COFFEE BEAN card.

Me: Um, sorry, but I think you gave me the wrong card.

Her: So? It's for Coffee Bean. Same thing.

Me: Actually, it's not. Coffee Bean is our competitor.

Her: So you won't take it.

Me: Uh, NO.

Her: How ridiculous! I'm taking my business elsewhere!

ME: Super! Coffee Bean is just down the street...

Okay, so I didn't actually say that last line, but it sure was tempting.

Why are people who drink coffee such idiots?

Halloween 2006

Rory absolutely loved Halloween this year! He was a puppy dog (for no other reason than it was the last costume left at Target that would fit him the night before Halloween) and he looked adorable. I just kept wanting to squeeze his little cheeks! Even Avery couldn't keep her hands off of him:



This was the first year he went trick or treating and I just kept wondering what was going on inside that little head of his. I mean, if you had no idea what Halloween was and then suddenly one night all these random people start ringing your doorbell dressed in weird costumes, and then your parents dress you up in funny clothes and send you out to knock on people's doors after dark. Just think about how confused you'd be! You could tell that he was like, "I have NO idea what's going on here, but you know what? I sorta LIKE it!" He was even able to manage saying trick or treat (which sounded more like "Too Twee Tweet!") and I was so proud of him. What a long way he's come from last year when he fell asleep before the first kid ever rang the door bell...

Lalalala - Elmo's world!

Please excuse my obnoxious singing, the fact that Hoby is bribing Rory with ice cream and that my child obviously watches too much tv - just focus on how damn cute my kid is!

18 and 19 Month Newsletter

Dear Rory,
Today you turn 19 months old. Somehow you’re 19th month managed to sneak up on me so fast that I never even had a chance to write your 18 month newsletter. We’ve had a busy couple of months, you and I, so you’ll have to forgive me for not being on top of things like writing in my blog or having time for little things, like BREATHING.

You’ve always been a handful, son, but now that you’ve begun to process what goes on around you and you’re able to somewhat verbally express what you want, you’ve become a bossy little dictator. You walk around the house barking orders at us like “UP!”, “DOWN!”, “OFF!”, and “ON!”. And when all else fails, you point at things and grunt things that sound like commands, and amazingly, your father and I always seem to end up doing whatever it is you want us to. There’s no question that you’ve got us wrapped around your little finger.

Luckily this past month has seen the “Daddy” phase begin to disappear and as your Mommy, I have to say that I am unbelievably relieved. You still put up a fuss when Dada leaves in the morning, but it’s nothing like it was before and I can usually distract you with a book or by letting you pick out your own shirt to wear for the day. All I can say is THANK YOU for finally getting through this phase. Instead of feeling like your babysitter, I’m starting to feel like your MAMA again.

These past two months have also come with an explosion of words. At the very least, your vocabulary has quadrupled. I don’t think I can continue to keep a list of all your new words because there are just too many. But here are a couple of my favorites:

- Aubrey, Autumn, Avery, Amy, and Julia (names of your friends that you love to repeat over and over!)
- Suitcase (pronounced “Boot- Case”)
- Apple (used for EVERY piece of fruit, not just apples”)
- Outside (heard ALL THE TIME! You love to be outdoors!)
- Drive (pronounced “DWIVE” and used to describe one of your favorite activities, which is pretending to drive Dada’s car in the driveway)
- Whoa (used to point out spiders and spider webs outside)
- NanaPapaMamaDaddaRoro – (a verbal run down of the people you know are eating out of the palm of your hand)
- Tutu – (our word for your, um, wee wee, right next to the “BOYS”)

Speaking of your “Tutu”, we were watching a baseball game the other day and you heard the announcer say “and it’s 2-2” and you immediately grabbed your crotch and yelled “TUTU!” I could see that you were thinking, “Hey, how cool that they talk about THAT on T.V., Mama!” There’s no question about it, Rory, you are a boy, through and through!

I also could not write about these past couple of months without mentioning your love of music. Your Papa Stan gave you a set of small conga drums and along with a couple of wooden spoons, you go at them with wild abandon. And while it may not have been my first choice for you (a nice quiet acoustic guitar, perhaps?), there is no doubt that you love drumming and that you’re actually pretty darn good at it. I mean, how many other 19 month olds can actually keep a beat? So I plan to foster your talent in whatever way I can, even if that means that I will be eating aspirin like candy for the rest of my life. You also love to go crazy on the ukulele that we got you in Hawaii, you even sing like a little rock star. Rock on, Roro.




And while I may be busy running after you as you see how fast your little legs can carry you, or trying to get you to eat something that I swear you loved just yesterday, I want you to know that although I can seem frustrated sometimes, I’m truly enjoying the fact that you are becoming your own person. Someone said to me today that you no longer look like a baby, that you’ve suddenly become a little boy and I realized that it’s more than just looks. You’re growing up, Rory, and I’m so glad that I’m able to be home with you as much as I am so that I don’t miss a step.



I love you, little man.

Love,
Mama

Finally... The Hawaii Trip Run Down

I felt it rather appropriate to begin my blog about our trip to Hawaii with a picture of King Rory - because really, when you get right down to it, this vacation totally revolved around him.

The plane ride there (including getting through airport security) was definitely not fun. We were seated at the very back of the airplane, and since we didn't know any better, we hadn't gotten Rory his own seat and it was a very full plane. As people were taking their seats, I could see them eyeing my feisty toddler with a wary eye, and who could blame them? But then Ro fell asleep the minute the plane took off and I could feel all the passengers around us sigh in collective relief - and no one was sighing louder than ME. But an hour later, the peace was shattered when Rory suddenly popped his head up, looked around wildly at the tight quarters and then proceeded to kick the seat in front of him in an effort to be "released" from my lap. (To the people in seats 40C and D - I'm SOOOOO SORRY!) And then the marathon of running up and down the aisles began...

We arrived in Hawaii feeling unbelievably travel weary, only to have to wait outside in the withering heat for our bus to come and take us to the Hilton Hawaiian Village for two nights before the cruise. And so started the endless waiting in lines... lines to get to the bus, lines to check in, lines for the elevator - just what you want to be doing after having sat on a plane with a toddler for 5 hours. Ugh. But once we got to our room and saw our beautiful view of the ocean, we finally started to feel like we were on vacation.



Fast forward two days later when we were herded in large groups to wait in more lines in the burning sun in order to board buses to take us to the port terminal. Tempers were about as hot as the temperature and people were really pissed off about how un-organized this whole supposedly "seamless" process was. Don't they do this several times a week? Never did being stuffed into a bus - an AIR CONDITIONED BUS - sound so good! But once we got to the port terminal, there were even MORE lines and poor Rory was so tired of being either in his stroller or in someone's lap - and who can blame him? By the time we actually got on the ship, we were one grouchy bunch.

The ship itself was interesting - there were 12 restaurants onboard, a large pool with a slide, a basketball court, and an enormous Broadway style theater. Our stateroom was a little larger than we expected it to be, which was good considering that we ended up spending quite a bit of time in there with Rory while he napped. But it was an all American crew that was totally burned out and a brand new ship that still had a lot of kinks to be worked out, and the service onboard was not what it should have been. They were trying this new type of dining called "Freestyle Cruising", which is advertised as meaning that you can just walk into any restaurant you want on the ship whenever you want - no specific seating times and no specific table that you have to sit at. What it really was: long, long lines of people waiting to get into restaurants that were under staffed. Thank goodness my Dad had the foresight to make us reservations - most people didn't know to do that, and so they had to wait to eat, sometimes for hours, every night. Not cool.

But enough about that.

We were in port every day, so each morning we would get up, have breakfast in the buffet, and then prepare Rory for a day of fun in the sun by gooping him up with tons of sunscreen.



Then we would head off the ship to see the sights or in search of a decent beach to hang out at. Rory spent a lot of time riding around the Hawaiian islands in his stroller looking like this:



The beach was interesting with our little man since he seems to have a slight aversion to sand. At first, we'd have to lay out towels and various other items like surf boards so that he could maneuver around without his feet touching the beach. Hoby and I would just look at each other and think, "Where on Earth did this kid come from?" Who ever heard of a kid not liking sand? Oye!



Here he is after a long day of avoiding getting sandy:



Luckily, by the end of the trip he started getting the hang of things and he would even sit on the sand with a shovel and bucket, just like a normal child (thank god!).

Sometimes we could get Rory to nap during the day at some point, but many times he was just too riled up to try and close his eyes. So you can imagine what would happen when it came time to sit down for a two hour dinner. TOTAL MELT DOWN. Nope, it was not a pretty sight. Not pretty at all. But what toddler could sit through that long of a dinner after being cooped up in a stroller all day? After all, my kid isn't super human.

So basically, after dinner, Hoby and I would be so exhausted that we'd just take Rory and we'd all go to sleep in our nice, dark room. That doesn't leave a whole lot of night life to speak of, which is actually kind of okay, because the couple of shows that I did catch were so bad that they were painful to watch. Just a little example for you: They had a crew talent show one night and one of the performers read a poem that she had written. I was politely tuning out her monotone voice when I heard her say "like a bomb in Hiroshima with flesh eating bacteria melting their faces..." Um, WHAT???? Did I really just hear that? This is ENTERTAINMENT??? And there was this magic show with a magician who's only trick for his ENTIRE HOUR LONG SHOW was to make plastic flowers appear. WOOHOO. Definitely two thumbs down.

But even though the onboard entertainment sucked, we were entertained in other ways, like when Rory would play at the pool on the ship and go down the big slide with his Dada:



And the fact that Rory got to spend quality time with his Nana, Papa and Uncle Jer for nine days - PRICELESS.



And this look on his face - well, this made it ALL WORTH IT:



Thanks to Grandma Jo and Grandpa Al for Rory's first vacation paid for by NBD (National Bank of Dad).

We love you!

Summing The Past Week Up In A Handy Diagram

We're Back!

Until I get out from under our mountain of laundry and get a chance to write about our trip, here's some photos to tide you over...enjoy!

Rory, Papa and the Ship


Me and my bro, Jeremy


Rory and his Nana


Surfin' with Dada


Ro and his ride