So Cal Part III... Disneyland

 

We ended our trip at Disneyland. Chris came out half way through and met us. He, of course, was fun to have around, and this allowed for no one to ride alone. She was allowed on most rides, but 7 of them. In which, you get a child swap pass, so you only have to wait in line once. 

 

With her Minnie ears, which she was not a fan of.

 

We saw the new show, "World of Color",  amazing. 

 

Many have asked what was the babe's favorite ride. In all honesty, she didn't get as excited about the rides like I thought she would. She just took it all in, very seriously. However, there were two rides that got her going, the Nemo Ride which is in a submarine and It's a Small World. 

 Taking a break from the stroller.

Meeting Pluto, she liked the characters far away, but not close.

 While we would ride, whoever was on baby duty would do a tame ride. Chris took her on this. Unfortunately, it didn't helped him in the girl department.

We never rode the Little Mermaid ride before, we did this time and it was a great ride.

 On the ferris wheel. There are carts that are stationary or carts that rock. We (unintentionally) ended up on one that rocked (I would like to add there were barf bags in the cart, I really thought Chris was going to have to use one).

Getting ready for the day. Can I add, I have a very difficult time brushing the Apple's teeth. She clenches her mouth shut so I can't get in. It is quite the dramatic ordeal that occurs twice a day, any ideas?

Wiped out.

Dear Daughter No. 1

Dear Daughter, is advice [of all sorts] I would like to pass on to my daughter, well all my children eventually.

Dear Daughter No. 1,

Pay attention to the mile post markers.  This was advice my dad gave me to me when I started to drive.
My dad's words, "There are three things you need to know when you are driving 1. The name of the road you are on, 2. The direction you headed, and 3. The mile post number. This way if you are in trouble and you need help when you call 9-1-1 you give this information and they will know exactly where you are." To this day, I still pay attention to the mile post marker. I have never had to use it, but I want to be prepared if I ever do.

SoCal Part II

 Touring the USS Midway

The Old Point Loma Lighthouse. 

I could live in this cute little house with the perfect San Diego weather.

The Cabrillo National Monument

The beautiful Red Cliffs

We visited the Island of Catalina one Sunday. You have to take a 75 minute ferry ride out to the island.

Some of the best fish and chips here.

There are not many cars on the island (in fact, if you live on the island you have to be on a waiting list to get car and it is years long). So you rent golf carts.

Hanging on the beach.

Random Thought

I do not like raisins in my carrot cake.

PB&J

Peanut Butter and Jelly is a staple in this household. We have it for dinner once a week (at least). 

I got the go ahead from the pediatrician to introduce peanut butter. I had given her some peanut products and noticed no reaction, so (with my benadryl at the ready) pb&js were on the menu for lunch.

And, if I didn't think so before, it is certain now. She is our offspring. She devoured it.

Shame

I have been a little embarrassed to post these pictures. It was still "too soon", but it has now been over a month and I am ready to reveal what I have done. 

 

We shaved the dogs. 

The thought had occurred to me each summer, but I always chickened out because I could not imagine them without fur. This spring I took the plunge. I got them shaved. And they look absolutely ridiculous. 

However, the lack of fur in the household has been so nice. 

SoCal Part I

We had an amazing 9 day vacation in Southern California (thus, the reason I have been so neglectful). We started in San Diego and worked our way up to Anaheim. It was so nice having Brad to ourselves for 9 days. That was the hardest part about coming home.

Here we are on Coronado

 We visited the amazing San Diego Zoo. She is sleeping on the first trip on the sky tram but all the other times B LOVED it.

 We then headed to Sea World another day.

 B, wasn't thrilled with the seals. It was their loud barking that scared her.

 Brad, fulfilling a life long dream. (He has met a kangaroo times before, but it sounded like a nice caption).

/

And what animal could cause this reaction? (I am aware this is not a flattering photo of me, but all the pictures of her excitement are of me like this). 

 This big guy. 

The zoo and Sea World had polar bears and she loved them. No other animal got this reaction, well.. one other.

This pretty lass named, Alice. The photo doesn't show it but B loved this dog, and all of them that were in the show. There is a show called Pets Rule at Sea World. They have taken in abandoned animals and show that they are good and trainable pets. She was thrilled when the dogs ran out.

To be continued...

Once Upon A Time Recap

 **SPOILER ALERT**

 Last night was the season finale of my new favorite. And I have a few opinions that I wanted to throw out there, more for myself. First, I loved the episode, and I love where the showing is going. One thing I was worried about with this show was cliff hangers, since the producers of Lost perfected it to a T. I was pleasantly surprised that it was not the same. It still leaves you wanting for more but not at all disappointed. Your questions gets answered and truth is revealed. The major storyline for this season wrapped up very nicely, and the show gave a good introduction to the next one. I am hoping at the success of the show, that they will be given a bigger budget for scenery and CGI. My BIGGEST disappointment of this episode (well, two actually) but the number one; the lines between Snow and Charming when they wake up. IT.KILLED.ME. She said the line that she constantly says to him, "You found me." SINCE WHEN WAS THIS STORY ABOUT HIM FINDING HER?????? In my mind what she should have said was, "She found us." Still using the cutesy line that is often said, but tweaked to make sense. Because in the end it was Emma who needed to find them, and she does. And lastly: I love the Belle love story with Rumpelstiltskin, but he looks like her grandpa, and it seems more creepy to me than romantic. I love the actor who plays him, he does a marvelous job, so I am thinking maybe someone a bit older for Belle. I am looking forward to Rumpel's revenge on Regina for locking up his beloved.

First Birthday

 Her first birthday was a low key affair. We made Elmo cupcakes and visited a tulip festival. My parents came in for the occasion. We had a little celebration with both of our parents (and Chris).

 Her loot. She made out well.

She had no problems with the dig-into-the-cake part.