Seabrook

We just got back from our vacation at Seabrook.  Since I'm very pregnant I decided it would be best if we stayed a little closer to home and had a slightly less adventurous vacation.  I've had to explain to Linus multiple times that we don't get to go to Hawaii or San Diego every year.  Luckily, the kids had such a good time they are already asking to go back to Seabrook next year.

It was an unexpectedly long trip to Seabrook.  The 3 hour drive took us about 7.5 hours.  This included decided to skip the horrible traffic along the I-5 corridor all the way to Olympia by taking the Bremerton ferry.  This added time but reduced the sitting in traffic aspect of the trip.  We stopped for ice cream in Belfair and then stopped again in Shelton for Linus to puke along the side of the road.   There was dinner and grocery shopping in Aberdeen.  It was such a relief to get to our beach house.

The weather for the first half of our vacation was about 15-20 degrees cooler than Seattle.  Great for the pregnant lady, not so great for a sunny beach vacation.  We took a walk along the trail to the beach to visit the Gnome Village.

Evil gnome

Can you see the ocean?  Isn't it beautiful and majestic?  Our attempt at kite flying was a failure.

Our favorite activities were swimming at the indoor pool, playing at the beach, and riding bikes.  We bought Eileen a little floaty and she was in heaven.  I had no idea how good a swimmer Linus is as long as he has a snorkel.  He could swim the length of the pool!  The pool is pretty sweet.  Indoors, relatively warm, and towels provided.

Our neighborhood is not ideal for riding bikes.  It was wonderful having so much space for the kids to safely ride.  Linus refused to try the bike with training wheels, but Eileen was more than happy to give it a whirl.

Eventually, the sun did come out and we could see the ocean.  Linus loved having free reign to dig holes.  The ocean misted over the sand.

Dave managed to eventually get a kite in the air for a moment.

Peaceful sand castle or the gates of Mordor?

After our first day at the beach, I found that my body couldn't handle the walk plus all the stairs.  Dave was kind enough to take the kids each afternoon while I laid on the couch and read books.

We spent one morning in Ocean Shores.  As a kid, I always pictured Oceans Shores to be this magical place.  In reality, it looks more like a slightly depressed beach town.  We had a great time though at the Pacific Paradise Family Fun Center. 

Linus channeled Happy Gilmore and took more of a hockey approach to golf.

Eileen "won" every hole by dropping the ball in.  Dave got lots of holes in one by banking the ball off Linus' shoe and letting him kick the ball in the hole.

Eileen loved mini golf.

We spent lots of quality time in the beach house.

playing games

hiding in secret forts

Beading.  Eileen became a pretty good little beader at family camp.

 The kids didn't take a bath until our last night--they had the ocean and swimming to get them clean.

beauty after bath

It was really great to get away for a little bit.  The house came with the most amazing couch.  Dave and I fell in love with it.  I don't know if we could make it work in our living room, but oh my God that couch was wonderful--could easily fit all four of us, two people could lie down, deep cushions, super comfy.  The drive home was significantly faster.  Linus puked again.  We were ready and he had a bucket.  We are now working under the theory that his body can no longer handle the combination of dairy and riding in cars.  He had several other puking incidents the other weekend with Dave, driving to and from their camping trip.  Now that vacation is over, it's time to look ahead to getting the kids ready for the school year to start and really getting ready for the baby to come.

From the Mouths of Babes in July

Eileen:  I love that movie.  I watched it all the time in college.

Linus:  Hey Eileen, do you want to go downstairs with me?  It's cool down there.
Eileen: No.
Linus:  Oh, so you don't want to be cool?

Out in public Eileen kicks off her shoes and keeps lifting up her shirt over her face.
Me: Eileen, no shoes, no shirt, no service.
Eileen:  I want service! I want service!

Linus:  Now will you put gel in my hair?
Me:  Just wait a moment.  We aren't leaving for a half hour.
Linus:  I'm just getting prepared.  It's like the last meal before the execution.

Eileen:  I not Wummer Woman.  (Translation:  I not Wonder Woman.)

Snuggle buddies

10 Years

On Friday Dave and I celebrated 10 YEARS of marriage.  I can't believe it.  Not because I didn't think we would make it or it's been incredibly difficult, but because it means I've been married for practically 1/3 of my life.  I guess that is what happens when you get married young (I was 23 and Dave was 21, not quite 22).  It made sense at the time and I can't imagine not marrying him when I did, but the idea of getting married so young seems insane!  When Dave mentioned to a co-worker that it was his 10th wedding anniversary, they responded with "Wow, you're old."  And then of course, Dave got to point out that the co-worker was actually older than him :)

Two young folks gettin' hitched.  July 26, 2003

I love my husband.  I've gushed before about what an amazing father he is, but he is pretty darn good husband too.  He puts up with my occasional neurotic tendencies, my need for order and cleanliness,  and my picky eating.  He is my technology guru and doesn't complain when I give him a honey-do list.  He indulges my pregnant lady whims.  Dave loves me despite my many imperfections.  I'm very lucky.

To celebrate, we spent the weekend sans children at the Camano Island Inn.  It was wonderful to be "off duty" for a couple of days.  The absolute luxury of laying in bed uninterrupted in the morning cannot be emphasized enough.  There is not a lot to do on Camano.  Being very pregnant, hiking was not a viable option for us.  We explored the island and Cama Beach State Park.  There was a lot of napping.  We also succeeded in choosing a name for the baby (sorry it's under wraps).  On our way back we even took in a little shopping at the outlet mall in Tulalip.

Before we left for our trip Linus helped me plan the meals and activities.  Eileen helped me make some mini apple pies. 

My parents were saints and watched the kids while we were gone.  Eileen got sick while we were gone, complete with puking all over herself in the middle of the night.  My parents really earned their stripes this weekend.  Hopefully, they aren't too scared to do it all over again when the baby comes.  The kids were glad to see us return, especially Eileen.  She has repeatedly stated (almost in tears), "You go without me."  Needless to say, there has been a lot of snuggling since our return home.  I missed my babies terribly and am happy to hold them.

10 years, 3 babies, a minivan, and a mortgage. Life is good.

He Who Shall Not Be Named

I've taken to calling the baby "He Who Shall Not Be Named."  Despite what you may believe, naming a child is not easy.  Names that you have loved since you were seven have suddenly become immensely popular.  You have a partner who you have to reach some sort of agreement with or risk alienation.  Naming suddenly becomes serious business once you actually get to/have to do it.  Really, you are helping decide that child's future and such decisions can not be made lightly.

We named Linus the day we found out we were having a boy.  We went out to dinner at a Greek restaurant on Phinney Ridge and had made the decision by dessert.  His middle name took a little longer.  Eileen was named probably within two weeks of the gender reveal. Her middle name changed as we walked into labor and delivery.  I will be 30 weeks on Tuesday and don't feel like we are even close to having a name.

Linus has named the baby Search Helicopter.  Eileen thinks Strawberry Shortcake would be a better choice but is willing to defer to Linus. When it comes to names I prefer more classical ones, but that are also less common (no top ten names for me).  The name needs to have character, personality.  Ideally, I would like it to be a saint's name.  If the first name isn't a saint name, then I'll try to make sure the middle name is.  Believe it or not, there is a Saint Linus.  He was the second pope.  I give bonus points for names that have songs attached. 

I feel like we did such a good job naming the first two that we have increased the pressure on ourselves to come up with another perfect name.  If we name him Jacob (a top ten name on the social security website and not under consideration), I may as well start apologizing to our third now.  Sorry kid, we just got tired and lost creativity, ie sending the implicit message from the start that he doesn't matter as much.

Right now Dave has a list of names, none of which I like although some are mildly tolerable.  And none of them feel like the baby's name.  I say this as the person who feels the baby all day and all night long.  I have a list of names, with a top 3.  None of which I am married to but strongly prefer to any on Dave's list.  Unfortunately, I think Dave is just as strongly opposed to my names as I am to his.

Yes, yes, I know.  The baby will be born, we will look at him, and then know his name.  I am skeptical of this since we are so far apart on names.  Additionally, I am a planner.  It will bring me so much peace to know his name.  If we come up with a name, he's born, and I say, "No way, he can't possibly be a McGillicuddy," then that's one thing.  I can deal with that.  Having him born and saying, "Sorry kid, I got bupkiss" seems so wrong. 

Dave and I are going away next weekend and having a little babymoon.  I am hoping that during this time of uninterrupted bliss (we get to sleep in past 5:30 am!!) we will come up with a name.  But for now the baby is "He Who Shall Not Be Named."

Family Camp 2013

Another year, another weekend spent at sunny Camp Don Bosco family camp.  I'm still amazed at myself every year that we go because as a young counselor I could not fathom going.  Ah how being a parent changes perspective.

So enjoy our "slideshow."

Eileen all ready for campfire the first night.  Can you see the enthusiasm bursting out of her?  She ran all the way to the campfire circle.

Not a lot of sleep was had by anyone during the weekend.  After falling out of bed, Eileen and I slept next to each other on the floor.  I quickly learned that sleeping on the floor on a thin mattress in a sleeping bag next to a toddler with an ear infection is the quickest way for a pregnant woman to get no sleep.  Luckily, I am married to a wonderful man who made a run each morning into town to bring me back Starbucks.

Linus' favorite part of camp this year was the craft shop.  He was prolific with his creations.

Tie dye!  Their shirts turned out pretty well and the kids looked like quintessential campers in their freshly minted tie dye (forgot to snag a pic).

So proud of his necklace and walking stick.

Lounging outside the craft shop.

A quick little hike to the Trestle.

baby butt looking down at Griffin Creek

The highlight of the trip for Eileen was horses.

 After getting thoroughly covered in dirt at the corral, Dave attempted to coax the kids into the pool.  Linus wised up very quickly to just how cold the pool was.  Eileen gave it a chance before crying to be let out.  I wisely just put my feet in and that was enough to let me know I had made the right choice. Brrr.  Dave was bummed.  He would have happily stayed in the pool for a while.

 The Slip N Slide went over much better.

Still trying to warm up from her dip in the pool.  Can you see the exhaustion from so much fun and no nap?  She passed out asleep shortly after this pic was taken.

Enjoying the makeshift swing.

One of the best parts of camp is the ability for the kids to safely roam and just play.  The kids quickly made friends.   Linus maybe got a little too comfortable and became increasingly difficult to keep an eye on,  there was just too much to explore.  Luckily, kids move in packs.  Bug hunting was a big activity.

Some bigger girls helped Eileen make a necklace and bracelet.  Eileen felt so special and talked about the experience nonstop afterwards.

 The kids had a good time.  Eileen cried when we left. Cried when we got home.  Cried when she woke up the next morning.  If she had her way, we would be at Camp Don Bosco right now.   

My experience was hard.  I didn't realize how trying it would be on my body to be 7.5 months pregnant at camp.  The inability to really get a chance to rest, the heat, the constant walking over uneven ground, the heart burn inducing food with no milk to be found, it was all too much.  By the time we left I just wanted to cry and felt like my body was going to give out underneath me at any moment.  Lesson learned. Very pregnant and camp are a poor combination.

Linus in his homemade space shuttle.  We needed lots of rest after such a full weekend.

I'm not sure if we'll go back next year.  A big surprise this year was discovering upon arrival that we would be sharing cabins with two other families.  We were lucky and actually knew the two other families we shared with and liked them.  It's one thing to share a cabin as a single adult with several other single adults.  It's another to go as a family and share with two other families.  Everyone really tried to be good sports and make it work.   Going away for the weekend with small children can be stressful, having to negotiate the needs of two other families in one room and not being able to have the cabin as a respite is a bit much.  So we'll see.