Pic of the Day ~ Becca and Grandma Swimming

Home, it is the Writing prompt at Crazy Hip Blogging Mamas, it is also where I long to be and where my Mother-in-law has to head back to tomorrow .
Becca has absolutely adored having her Grandma here. They have played together, eaten endless pretend meal together, seen the animals, went swimming and worn funky dress-up hats. It is so sad that Grandma has to leave for home tomorrow, however even a short visit is a worthy one. Becca is going to find our home so quiet and empty once Grandma returns home.

Oh how I envy my Mother-in-law that she gets to return to Canada so soon. I so want to stow away in her suitcase leaving all the stress of the US behind me. That is obviously not an option, it would be killer on my back and I could never leave J and Becca! We had some more “issues” with the insurance company and the eye specialist that I hope to have ironed out today. *sigh* Why do you guys have to fight so hard own here for everything?!?! Canadians … seriously we are so spoiled and I hope it stays that way! Makes me so home sick though.

Home is where the heart is though. My heart is with J and Becca, so here is home. Hopefully home is with this little bean growing inside me too. I am barely pregnant, only 6 weeks and I am all ready head over heals in love with this baby. After last time one would think I would save the crazy falling in love part for once we knew all was hunky dory … can’t control the heart, just like I cannot control where home is.

So tomorrow we head back to LAX to kiss and hug Grandma bye bye . Becca has had the opportunity to really connect with Grandma this visit and hopefully we will receive another visit from her again soon, so that home does not feel so far away.

Pic of the Day ~ Becca and Grandma at the Zoo

So if you had the opportunity to do out for the first time in years where would you go!??! Now we could not go all crazy, get drunk and stupid since I am with child, so what did we opt for?!?!

Well we went to see the most silliest movie to be released since Space Balls. Snakes on a Plane was totally HILARIOUS! I jumped out of my seat a few times, and it was a wonderful escape from reality. Mind you I am sure there are no academy awards in the wings for Snakes on the Plane, however if you go in expecting very little you come out laughing! The best part, was that J & I had the opportunity to go out on our own and enjoy each other’s company for a few hours! Thank you Betty Ann for staying with Becca!

Today we took Grandma to the Wild Animal Park. It was a wonderful day with the animals. She has been spoiling us with dinners and Becca is loving the new books and toys that Grandma is sharing! We lucked out and saw lions, elephants, gorillas, gibbons and tons of birds! Becca’s favorite was the lions and feeding the ducks.

The visit is wonderful (we have the water back on!) and it is nice to have family here. I am feeling a little more tired than normal (I fell asleep sitting up in the back of the car on the way home), however it is so worth it

What was the silliest thing you have done lately?!?! Seeing  Snakes on the Plane with our very sacred free time was mine for sure!

Pic of the Day ~ Becca and Grandma enjoying a book (with the puppy!)

Becca and I had a busy day yesterday. We had to prepare for our house guest to arrive! After dinner we all drove to LAX to pick up …. GRANDMA M! (big apologies for not catching up on my reading, I am trying and will get to all of your wonderful blogs soon, promise!)

After a long wait and missing her at the arrival gate somehow, we finally met up with Grandma! Becca was very excited to see her! Oh Auntie Kristie … Becca has not put down the puppy that you sent along. Becca slept with the puppy, and it has stayed in her arms all morning so far! Thank you Auntie Kristie!

The hot water at our apartment is going to be shut off today (grrr!). They are also planning to did up our front entrance!! These things are so ill timed! We are hoping to escape and do some touring to avoid the mess and annoyance.

Have a great weekend! I hope to update everyone later this weekend … What are your plans?

Pic of the Day ~ Mommy and Becca by the Fire

We’re back!! Ok camping with a toddler is so much fun (and work)! I definitely want J along for any future camping trips We had a wonderful time and Becca is a true blue camper!

We arrived at the campground in the afternoon Monday and had the opportunity to explore once we had our tents set up. It is a beautiful place. We camped right next to a cute little river, unfortunately the site was quite muddy, ensuring my cute toddler got very dirty. Becca loved running wild with Ryan, picking sticks, rocks, dirt up and traveling along with them all! Everyone went off for a drive to the store, however Becca and I stayed behind and went for a walk.

Becca was very well behaved the entire time. Of course we had our moments when listening and patience were tested, however I am quite proud of both of us. We really worked as a team, Mother and Daughter and enjoyed the trip. It helped to be camping with three other great moms

Sadly our air mattress was not playing nice. Either I did not close the seal properly or we have a leak I am in a great deal of pain from sleeping, essentially on the ground both nights! I tried to fix the mattress on Tuesday but then Becca needed my full attention and after that it was too dark to deal with it. I am trying very hard to be natural and avoid drugs being pregnant and all but damn my back hurts!

Yet my absolute favorite part of our camping trip was sleeping in the tent with Becca. She snuggled up so close (cold maybe hehe?) and would wrap her tiny arm around my neck for comfort. In fact, I was her Pooh Bear!! It was awesome snuggling with her and sharing the entire experience!

We returned home before noon this morning. I was very tired waking early to pack everything up. I knew my back was going to only get worse so I worked my butt off to get it all done. We waited for everyone else to pack up (maybe a mistake) and I quickly bolted knowing I was going from bad to worse. I struggled to drive home, while Becca zonked out in the car seat! I was so jealous!

J, my hero came home and helped do laundry and played with Becca while I took a nap. The sleep helped my back (although now all achy again from being up and cleaning). J returned to work, Becca and I finished the laundry and prepared dinner. Oh Becca was so excited to see her Daddy!!! It was awesome!!

So yeah totally recommend camping with your toddler. Take your partner in crime for the company and to share in the work! Enjoy the outdoors and the awe in your kid’s face when they see all the stars! It is really good to be home. We missed J and man being clean and snuggled up in my own bed feels like heaven!

If you want to see more photos from our camping adventure, check out our Flickr photos!

Pic of the Day ~ Becca Baby

Phew! What a weekend. We had a great plan to hit the beach on Saturday, sadly it was cloudy and cool. So we cleaned and rearranged our bedroom instead (note to self if planning a relaxing beach day …. relax!)

This morning, I went out with some other Mom’s to a coffee shop to knit for a couple hours. It was AWESOME. The ladies were awesome and it was a nice little break. Plus, I learned a few new stitches and I am knitting a little better!! We are going to meet every two weeks!! I am so excited (I am such a geek)!

Becca and I are taking off for a few days. We will be joining some other Moms for a camping trip till Wednesday! This is Becca’s very first camping trip and I am so excited to go. There is a river to swim in and it is suppose to be a great place to camp. I am a little bummed that J has to work and cannot come, however it is going to be all moms so that is cool.

In case you miss us, here is our Flickr sets and pictures. We got the pro account over the weekend so we can share even more adventures with you I have added a few more recent adventures and all the classic pictures are still there.

Have a great week and we will check in on you all on Wednesday!