Along The Coast

A few weeks ago we bought a new car. Al flew to Sacramento to pick it up and drove it back to LA. It is so exciting to have room for the stroller and groceries.  Costco was starting to get a little tricky in the Acura, I felt like I was playing Tetris every time I went. I was a little nervous to drive it at first because it felt like a bus compared to our Acura, but I'm getting used to it and love it.

For MLK Weekend we decided to take a trip up the coast.  I've been bugging Al to do it for 2 years, so what better time with a 2 year old and a 2 month old.  We started Saturday morning

Alex having his first road trip snack, a bag of chips around 8:30am

Our first stop was Solvang.  I've heard so many people talk about Solvang, but Al told me to not have big expectations especially since we don't drink wine.

Instead we looked on Yelp and found the best Danish Bakery and restaurant for breakfast.

I had the best chocolate macaroon and Al had a yummy Eclair.

We had breakfast at Paula's Pancake house which was amazing.  I got a little anxious because the wait was forever and I had a long list of things to see.  After Al convinced me that we would have more than enough time I relaxed a little.

The famous Hans Christians Andersen statue

A replica of the famous Little Mermaid statue and boy was it little.

Our next stop was Neverland Ranch which was a short 30 minute drive through wine country.

We met another groupie at the gate that lives down the street, she was bizarre.  The guard told us 80-100 people come everyday.  A lot of people leave notes and stuff them in the cracks of the walls.

Some write on the walls.

I found a Sharpie in my purse so Alex and I left a note.

The house is 2-3 miles from the gate so all you can see is a road.

Our next stop was Pismo Beach.

I came prepared with towells and swimsuits, but you don't really layout at this beach.  You get to drive on the beach.  One way is Sand Dunes and the other way is where people play in the water.  The sand is hard and everyone backs up their truck or SUV and hangs out.

Alex couldn't contain himself.  He loved the water and didn't want to get out.  His feet had to be numb the water was so cold.

This is what happened when we made him leave.  You would have thought we were kidnapping him. 

Our last stop for the night was Morro Bay.  We stayed at a cute little hotel with 2 bedrooms and a fireplace that heated the room.  

We walked down to the water to get dinner.  

Alex and Cole were done at this point so we got dinner to go and had a picnic on the floor.  Night time was painful but we knew it would be.  Cole slept in his Pack N Play next to our bed like an angel.  Alex on the other hand was a nightmare.  He hadn't napped that entire day so he went to bed in the other room around 8pm.  Then around midnight he woke up and didn't go back to sleep until 3 or 4am.  Al was in there forever laying with him trying to get him back to sleep.  We were all exhausted the next morning when Alex woke up bright and early at 6:30am.

A Boys Life

Little Cole is growing like crazy.  Some days seem to go by so slow, but it's hard to believe he is almost 3 months old. He is the sweetest baby you could ask for.

and so good at Tummy Time, he loves it.

A couple weeks ago we met the Dannel's Family at Jump N Jammin.  Luckily Crew and Hudson took Alex down all the slides and showed him everything.  Sometimes I feel bad I can't do stuff like that with him anymore since I'm usually holding Cole.  

Alex was in heaven. Crew was carrying him everywhere

Boys Heaven.  

We took Alex to Lacy park to ride his bike one Saturday.  We didn't know they charged you to use the park on weekends to non San Marino residents.  Seriously?  Rip Off!!

We are working on the "riding" part.  Right now he just walks on it.

Al teaching him to climb up the playground.  Alex has no fear, it scares me.

and this was his reaction telling him he had to get off his bike and in the car.

Cole loving his Tummy Tub.

He loves it so much I bet he would sit in there all night.

I was at my friend Sachia's one day and Cole had a blowout all over his blanket and clothes.  I wasn't prepared with an extra outfit so she loaned me one of her girls outfits.  He looked so cute we put a feather headband on him...haha

Alex and I share a green smoothie every morning.  Mine don't get very green, but at least they are loaded with fruit and a little bit of greens.

I could stare at Cole all day, but if I did that I would never get anything done.  

I finally finished both of their rooms.  I'm hoping I will have walls that aren't white someday :)

Paying Respects

Last week Al's Dad was in town and got to spend the day with him.  We went to the Promenade in Santa Monica to have lunch and go shopping.  Getting Al to go shopping is rare so I'm glad his Dad likes it. We made the mistake of walking in the food court where there is a playground.  Alex almost jumped out of the stroller so that's where we ate lunch.  I just realized how crazy Cole's brow line looks in this picture. 

Alex warming up to the idea of sitting on his Grandpas lap.  After all they do have the same name.

The promenade was amazing that day, no crowds and great sales.  I could have stayed all day.

Every time Al's Dad has been in town we've talked about taking him to Forest Lawn Cemetery where Michael Jackson is buried.  We heard he was buried below a stained glass window so we went to the Mausoleum where they have a video about the Last Supper stained glass window.  

Turns out Michael Jackson isn't buried in this one, but Elizabeth Taylor is and this is her headstone.

Pretty amazing.

We got the scoop where MJ was buried and heard there are fans there everyday standing guard.  Sure enough there was a lady sitting there eyeing us.  Who just hangs out at a cemetary everyday?  Al stayed  in the car while we went to pay our respects.

Forest Lawn is unreal, it's huge.

This is the building MJ is buried in. You can't go in, but you can look through the window and barely see a long hallway with a stained glass window at the end and a white marble casket below it.  

Flowers from his fans.

Our last stop was Walt Disney's grave.  Alex was done at this point and plus it was freezing.   On our way out I told Al to drive by MJs one last time to see if that lady was still there and sure enough she was, random.  Hopefully no one reading this thinks we are weirdos hanging out at a cemetery, haha.  

Thanks for coming to visit Al.  Next time let's go to Disneyland!!

2 Months

 6 Week Stats

Weight 12 1 oz

Height 21 3/4 inches long

Head 39cm

If I said it's been easy I would be lying.  Newborns are so so sweet, but I seriously feel like I've been living in the twilight zone.  Ever been on the ride at Disneyland? The lack of sleep, emotions, recovery, and lifestyle change definitely make it hard.  I think it has been a little easier the second time around since I knew what to expect.  Around 7 or 8 weeks I started to feel like my normal self again and I think that is due to 4-5 hours of uninterrupted sleep.   I'm running errands, going on play dates, and anything else that I can do in a 3 hour time span.  Cole is an angel baby and we are so thankful to have him in our family :)  At 2 months he is....
Smiling especially when you talk to him and then he will talk back.  I feel like he is very alert.

Until he was 7 weeks he wouldn't go to bed until 10 or 11 which was so exhausting, but I guess very normal for a newborn.  Around 7 weeks, 1 week after Utah he started going to bed around 8 or 9 and waking up around 2 or 3 and waking up again around 5 or 6, hallelujah!!  

He started sleeping 4 hour stretches on December 17th which is when we got to Utah.  A couple of nights he slept 6 hours but I couldn't enjoy it because I had the flu for 2 nights and had to sleep next to Alex the rest of the time and he wasn't sleeping through the night.  My milk supply also decreased due to the flu so I was doing some serious pumping, scary.

Loves his new Tummy Tub that he got for Christmas and also likes the sponge we lay him on in the bathtub. 

Likes his play gym especially if Alex isn't awake trying to lay on top of him and play with him.

Loves to be held.  If he gets fussy he will usually stop the minute you pick him up and cuddle him, so sweet.

Not a huge fan of the car unless you're moving or he's sleeping.

Likes being carried in the Bjorn and doesn't mind the stroller as long as he can see you.

At his 6 week appointment the Dr told us the right side of his head was starting to go flat so to lay him flat and stretch his neck to the left.   Hopefully that prevents the helmet!!

Eats every 3 hours and takes about 15 minutes.

Still takes a bottle and a binky, hooray!!

He is amazing at burping and he hardly spits up both of which Alex was awful at.

Discovered his fingers around 7 weeks and puts them in his mouth.

Finally stopped going to the bathroom in the middle of the night right at 2 months, thank goodness.  Changing a poopy diaper at 2am is the worst.

Has almost outgrown his 0-3 month clothes wide and long which I know Alex didn't do until 3 months.    Some of them he hasn't even worn yet and that's a perfect example on why you shouldn't spend money on baby clothes until they can wear them for at least 6 months.

Size 1 diapers are also almost too small for him, stop growing so fast :( 

 Alex smothering him with hugs and kisses.  So blessed to have 2 healthy boys.

Rose Parade 2013

The weather for the Rose Parade was really cold this year. We made a special trip to Target the night before to buy a thermos for hot chocolate.  I wish I would have taken a picture of Al with it because he was so proud.  The better picture may have been the mess he made in our kitchen making it, but that's OK because it kept us warm.

My friend Laura's sister camps out for 2 nights every year right where the parade starts.  This is the second year they let us sit with them so we must be kind of cool :)

Laura snapped this amazing picture of the Jesus float.

I loved the Dr Seuss float.  I guess I notice everything Dr Seuss now since Alex's first birthday party.

Another amazing photo by Laura.  Was this for real?  Not only was it freezing, but this was on National television.

Alex loved all the floats.

The best part about being at the beginning of the parade is that it's quick and the floats don't get stuck.  You also get to see all the protesters when they are all energized and ready to yell.  

Laura and I.  Not only are we Lulu addicts but we also love food.  It was a friendship that was meant to be.

Family Photo.  Yes there is a part in my bangs that won't go away.  I guess that means I parted my hair in the middle for too long.

It was a successful morning if it wore Alex out.  Until next year!!