We’ve had yet another busy week (go figure), forgive me for my absence!

Mark and I had our first test of the semester, which I think turned out well for the both of us. We spent our days leading up to the test studying and reviewing about the history of families over and over again. Need to know the difference between Native American or Euro-American families from the 1600′s compared to today? Or, how slavery impacted the structure of families? We got ya covered.

Attempting to study with a nearly-crawling 6 month old is a challenge though, for sure. We had to take turns with the studying and baby duty. It worked out though, I think we both passed, at least!

Now, we’re off to the mountains to celebrate my 20th birthday coming up on Tuesday (yes, that is the 11th. Lucky me) as well as one of my best friends (from Kindergarten!) that was in our wedding. It’s bound to be a great weekend. Mark will be going to an ASU game, which, after last week’s awesome win should be full of pride and fun. I won’t be going though. Football just isn’t how I want to spend my birthday, as I did last year at a NCSU game…hot, pregnant and we lost at the last second!

Not sure what us girls will be doing, but with Savannah, I’m sure we’ll be plenty entertained. Supposably the boys of something of a surprise for us as well. Maybe?

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Again, I apologize the lack of posting. It’s been yet another busy week, or two, with starting college back, endless amounts of laundry and cleaning to do, teething, colds, etc.

It’s already been almost two weeks since we packed our house (or tried…) into our Toyota and made the 4 hour drive to Myrtle beach for our very first family beach trip. And it was a good first. A good way to start our beach vacation traditions, just as I treasure the beach trip memories as I grew up.

We left last Friday around lunch time, getting to our resort around 3:30. We stepped out of our car and were immediately slammed with the outrageously high humidity. Seriously, it was like we were in a sauna. Some times, our sun glasses would fog up when we got out of the car. We got checked in, unpacked and settled. Said our hellos to my Mom and Step-dad, ate dinner (note to self: no more buffets) and headed to the beach for Savannah’s first view and feel of the ocean.

It was beautiful, the sun starting to set, the water was perfect and warm (unlike our honeymoon trip, freezing!), but extremely windy. Savannah rode on her Daddy’s shoulders and made funny faces at the wind constantly blowing. She loved it. She loved her first toe dipping in the ocean and the squishy wet sand. It’s so amazing to watch your child experience something new, it’s like seeing things for the first time yourself.

The next day we spent the morning at the beach, with extra sunscreen (but apparently I forgot my own face, there for I had a burnt, peeling forehead this past week), water and umbrellas/baby tent for shade. We brought a long a Bumbo seat (light weight and easily wiped clean of the sand!) so we wouldn’t have to hold her the whole time, and ya know, enough the sand/water ourselves. We brought a baby sized swimming pool so she could play in the water without the waves (though, there was a tide pool that day, which was great to play in!). It worked out well.

The baby sun tent? I’m so glad we bought. I chose not to bring bottles to the beach, so I breastfed and it made life and privacy so much easier! It blocked the wind/sand from blowing in her face, it allowed her to not be in the direct sun, and was a great way to keep her “clean” and not so sandy. Definitely recommend.

Mark, being the big kid that he is, played in the water the whole time. Some times he’d take Savannah with him and give my mom and I a break (so I could read some HP and the Deathly Hallows!).

After we had enough sun, we took our showers and Mark and I went out for our ‘date night out.’  We decided to go to Broadway on the Beach, where we ate at the Hard Rock Cafe.  My dinner wasn’t as good as I expected, but Mark’s ribs were amazing! We walked around and looked at the shops, and found shirts that said, “I love my husband.” and “I love my wife.”  Cheesy, but it’s true. And now people on campus know we are taken, since we wore them yesterday. Ha. Then…

We went to the place we’ve been waiting for weeks to go.  MagiQuest. It was amazingly fun interactive game. And nerdy.  My Magi name was Princess Leia and Mark was Hon Solo. We bought our wands and started on our quests to get different rune powers.  We could open chests and collect money, turn crystals colors, duel each other, make things light up and talk. Quite cool.  We played for an hour and half, and when we go back, it’ll just pick up where we left off.

Then next day was filled with more fun in the sun, and then we went back to Broadway on the beach and took Savannah to the aquarium! She loved watching the fish swim around and around, some times right above us.  She’d watch in awe and occasionally try to grab them. She especially liked the gift shop where the fuzzy stuffed animals (er…fish) were.

This vacation was now only our first family beach trip, but Savannah decided to cut her first tooth!  She’s done well with teething. So far, there hasn’t been the horrors that other mommy’s tell of. She’s working on her second bottom tooth as we speak (as well as a small cold).  Still, she’s doing well and happy as can be. Though, a bit more clingy.

It was a good trip. We enjoyed experiencing things as a family and watching many of Savannah’s firsts, enjoyed being away from work and other stresses, and enjoyed the company of my Mom (and the extra hands!). We enjoyed being together.  Here’s to good times and hoping next year’s trip turns out just as well.

I realize it’s been a while since I posted last. Quite frankly, I’ve been lazy this week. And busy when I’m not being lazy.

We got back from our lovely family visit on Sunday night, woke up bright and early the next day after yet another rough night of sleep (Oh, sleep. It’s gotten bad again AND she’s decided to get up at the crack of dawn), went to work, came home and went to bed. (Ok, there is more to our lives than work and sleep.) And then?  Did the same thing for another two days.  Granted, I do only work 4 hours a day, 3 days a week. But combine that with the full time, 24 hour job of being a mother, and life is hectic and exhausting.  There fore, I get lazy when I DO have any time when my child is not attached to my hip or um…a bodily feeding device.

Normally I space out my work days so I have time to rejuvenate, but this week I crammed it all in the beginning of the week 1)because I was needed at work since I was in charge of catering for our customers. Which, turned out awesome.  2) because we’re going on our first beach trip as a family on Friday!

Yes, our first beach trip as a family.  Savannah first time digging her toes into sand, probably attempting to eat it, and splash her feet in the waves.  Exciting stuff.  My mom and step-dad will be joining us so I’m looking forward to the extra set of hands to play and take care of Savannah (and watch her while I get some sleep!).

Mark and I already have a date night planned, too. We’re going to be geeks and play an awesome looking computer interactive game called, “MagiQuest.”  I’m sure we’ll do the whole eating out and shopping thing, too.

We’re excited. I think we all need to get away for a while and relax.  School starts for Mark and I in less than 2 weeks and we haven’t really had much time to just do nothing and just enjoy our selves!   Not to mention, I’ll have tons of time to work my way through and possibly finish the last Harry Potter book (yes!).

That said, I have a lot to do before we leave.  And I’m worried about how hot it is (in the 100′s! here!) and how it will affect Savannah.   The sun is blazing hot out there!  Obviously, we should go to the pool/beach in the morning or afternoon, wear lots of sun screen and find shade when possible.  I’d like to also find a beach umbrella or one of these beach tent things for Savannah.
Any other advice for a first time mom’s trip to the beach to make it easier?  Hints? Tips?

I love traveling. It’s exciting, it’s a chance to meet new people, see old friends and family, enjoy a different view, and eat different food. I’ve been many places throughout the good ole USA, though mainly on the Eastern coast. I’ve flown to finally meet close online friends face to face. I’ve flown to see family and vacation at Disney World. I’ve even flown to Utah to see the 2002 Olympics! Traveling thrills me.

Obviously, since finding out I was pregnant last summer, having a baby, and now a new wife, things have settled down more. And, money has gotten tighter. But, we still do make our family car trips to visit others. Our family and college friends are a good 2-3 and half hours away all across our state. Not too bad driving wise no matter where we chose to grace others with our appearance (or…mainly Savannah since everyone just cares about the baby now! Just kidding…).

But, as much as I love our visits, I dread them. Tonight, the thought of packing for our trip tomorrow to see my family is hovering over me. I dislike packing, but I especially hate the unpacking because the mess usually stays here for at least a week. Actually, there is still a pile of laundry and suitcases from last weekend’s excursion. It will only get worse, seeing how we will be gone to the beach next weekend as well.

I also dread the sitting in a car for hours, knowing that our daughter is getting a HUGE nap that will interfere with her night time sleep. Great. With so much time in the car, the radio stations keep playing the same music that gets very old. Our CDs are old and boring, but why buy more when they will just become old and boring, too?

Yes, we’re a busy, visiting family. We make our rounds each month for one reason or another, it seems. Birthdays, holidays, football games, just plain missing family, friends or certain scenery. But, as soon as we pull up in the driveway of our destination and we’re greeted with hugs and smiles, it’s all worth it. I’d rather have a life time of boring CDs and yes, even horrible sleep, then not see the people and places we love.

That said, we’ll be away for the weekend enjoying family! Well, me and Savannah will be. Mark will be playing Xbox360 Pro Football the entire weekend since we don’t have one our selves. I don’t think the boy will sleep, seriously.