Home Sweet Home

After a wonderful time in Hawaii, it is nice to be home in my own crib. It is a bit cooler here and rainy, but I love it just the same. Best of all I have gotten to see my brothers! They were excited to see me too - both of them held me and gave me lots of attention.

Tonight we are going to Disney on Ice. Daddy told me we have really good seats - I hope that I can make it up that late! I can't wait to tell you all about it :) Well, I'm off to nap then baby pilates with Mommy.

Swimming!

I don't know how I could forget to tell you about going swimming! Daddy and Mommy took me into the ocean for the first time last tuesday - it was so exciting. I really loved it when Daddy held me close and we dipped down into the warm water.

Here is a picture that Daddy took of Mommy and me in the water (sorry for the orientation on the pictures - mommy can't figure out how to help me turn them)...

Then the next day (wednesday) they took me swimming in the pool at the condo. I'm not sure which I prefer - they were both wonderful experiences. I think it is safe to say that I love the water just like Daddy and my brothers. Check out the picture Mommy took of Daddy and I in the pool...

off to bed... xoxo,
A

Turtles, Lava, and Sharks (oh my!)

Mommy and Daddy have been taking me on so many great adventures this week! Yesterday we had a very long day, I started out the day with Uncle Aaron while Mom and Dad went snorkeling with some turtles across the street. My time with Uncle Aaron ended quickly though when Mom came running back with bloody knees and some scraps and cuts. She said she got washed into the rocks, but it was worth it with the turtle sightings.

Around noon, we all left to head towards Volcanoes National Park. It was a very long drive! We stopped for lunch at a wonderful restaurant in a hotel in a sleepy little town. Everyone said the food was good, and of course my milk was yummy. :) The next stop was at a black sands beach where Uncle Aaron and Daddy went swimming with many more turtles. There was one that even came up on the beach to see us. Finally, we ended up at the National Park and got to see the caldera of the volcano. We felt the steam vents and walked through a lava tube (thankfully it was cool). Then we headed on another 1.5 hour drive to see the lava flow into the sea - it was so beautiful.

After a long 3.5 hour drive home, we had a pretty good night of sleep. I woke Mom and Dad up at 5am and we headed to a beach that is suppose to have sharks! After about an hour of Uncle Aaron and Daddy looking for sharks, they gave up and we came home. I sure am glad that Daddy didn't turn into shark food!

We have been having so much fun. I can't wait to tell you all about the rest of our adventures here on the big island.

xoxo,
A

Ironman Kona

Mommy tells me that not everyone in the world look like the people that are here. She tells me that there really are other people like her and daddy that aren't in amazing shape.

We had so much fun yesterday cheering Uncle Aaron on. He finished the race, took in 1 bag of fluid through an IV, and came out to greet us with a huge smile on his face. We are all so proud of him!

It has been fun to watch all of the race activity and be a part of the celebration. Maybe the most amazing part of the Ironman culture is the manners of the athletes. After a 2.4 mile swim in rough sea water, 112 mile bike ride through intense heat and humidity, and several miles into the marathon, nearly all of the athletes said thank you to the man next to us that was spraying water and our cheering. Of all of the times in life that you are excused from using manners, I would say this is one of them. Even the pros leading the race had kind words and smiles for the spectators after several hours in the heat. What an amazing learning experience for me.

We are going to explore the island the rest of the vacation - I can't wait!

xoxo,
A

Airplanes and Heat

Wow - mommy and daddy took me on my first airplane ride, it was very comfortable. There were lots of nice people that wanted to look at me. After a nice long day of mommy and daddy holding me, we got onto another airplane (although this one didn't really seem the same). Mommy was carrying me and she seemed really nervous to get on this tiny plane. It took her a long time before she was calm enough to let me sleep. The views were beautiful over the islands and ocean, I am definitely going to try to remember those.

After trying to sleep in this hot, hot place, we left the condo in the middle of the night (it was 4am and still dark out) to take Uncle Aaron to the start of Ironman Kona. There was a lot of excitement as we dropped him off at the start. Soon after that, we saw people jumping from airplanes to land in the water and start the race (Mommy tells me they are called Navy seals). It was all very exciting until it got HOT. I mean it is HOT - it is not even 10am and it is already too hot to be outside. We waiting to cheer uncle Aaron on as he raced from the swim to the bike and through the first part of the course. He is off now for 4+ hours of riding so we are taking a rest in the wonderful air conditioning of the condo we are staying at.

I hope to write about this wonderful adventure later this week! Until then...

xoxo,
A

H1N1 & Hawaii

Mommy called the doctor's office this morning to try to get an appointment for the family to get the H1N1 vaccine, with no luck. After sitting on the phone for over an hour (the first hour the office was open) they told her all of the appointments had been booked. She tells me that she will keep trying to get everyone vaccinated so I don't get sick!

This afternoon Mommy has been packing lots of my things to go someplace called Hawaii. She tells me it is very warm and that we will have lots of fun, I only have to be good on the plane :) I am looking forward to writing you about my adventures in this place called Hawaii.

A Visit with Dr. Kilty

Yesterday Mommy and Daddy took me to the doctor's office. They weighed me (I'm 11 lbs 4.5 oz) and they measured me (I'm 23 inches long). The doctor spent most of the time talking about how important it is for my family to get the H1N1 vaccine since I am too young to get it and I'm
at the highest risk.

Other than a few horrible shots the visit wasn't all that bad. Thankfully, I don't have to go back for another few months.

We are also getting ready to head to a place called Hawaii to watch my Uncle Aaron compete in the Ironman Championships (Ironman Kona). We are all very excited to see him. Mommy also keeps talking about going to a volcano. I have no idea what that is, but it sounds like an adventure!