Surprise Visit

Last weekend I snuck away for 48 hours to surprise my BFF/College Roomie, Lauren, in the OC. She is currently pregnant with identical twin boys and had to be hospitalized and put on bedrest for the last few weeks. We had a fun weekend in the hospital just talking, laughing, eating Hot Tamales (her favorite) and even watched So I Married An Ax Murderer. She was SO surprised and I was proud Ryan and I were able to keep this visit Top Secret. She is like my 2nd sister and being away from her during this time makes me so sad. I wish I could visit her daily, but the weekend will have to do for now. Only a few more weeks before her little guys are here. LOVE YOU LAUREN!!!

I made a paper chain countdown (23 days to go from when I was there). Ryan did the honors of ripping the 1st piece.

Hello

Just some cute pics of Roman from last night...


Happy Boy playing in the water.


His new favorite thing to do is scream at the top of his lungs in a very high pitched squeal. He especially likes doing this at busy restaurants. People will laugh the first few times and then it starts getting really embarassing. I try and threaten him with taking away his food, but we all know what that would equal. LOUDER SCREAMS


Enjoying the water. Gotta love summer.

10 Months

10 Months and you are on the GO. And on the GO means independence, happiness and getting into everything. You have gotten so fast in just a few weeks and can now explore and move from room to room. A few times I have to search to find you since you can be so quiet.


In addition to crawling, you are now standing while holding on to things. This is the one place in our house that I need to keep an eye on you at, the fireplace. You love crawling and climbing up onto the ledge and then play with all the magnets.


You are so proud to be crawling everywhere.


With movement comes mess. Between you and your brother there is usually a mess somewhere in the house. The other day you and Roman got into the rice krispies. This is how I found you.


We call you our little Ham! Look at those adorable Ham legs. I hope you aren't offended when you are older. Don't worry, we will stop that nickname when you turn 1.


You continue to love water and have recently discovered the water table. You love standing here and splashing in the water. You like watching Roman play in it and laugh when Marley drinks water out of it.

Some other highlights...
-You are very quiet. Not a lot of babbling, but you have recently said MaMa. However, your cry can be so loud and sound so sad.
-Prefer food over your bottle. You love to eat. Some of your favorites are chicken nuggets, waffles, blueberries, bananas, turkey. I really haven't found much that you don't eat. We are staying away from dairy until you turn 1 and then we can do some allergy testing.
-Major Stranger Danger. You are very dramatic and let it be known that you do not like anyone to hold you other than a few select people. You put on a very sad, pouting face and then scream. This is always such a hard phase, but one that also quickly passes.
-Starting to pull the bows off your head. OH NO!!! Not the end of your bows.
-Your hair is beginning to grow. Still pretty short, but you now have some wispy strands.
-Teeth: 2 top, 2 bottom
-Your tongue is always out. It is so cute.
-Your eyes are getting darker and I think starting to turn green
-Love getting into Marley & Serena's water bowl
-1st plane trip to Maui. You did great! No crying, just lots of movement
-Good sleeper, but still wake up at night once or twice when you lose your binky

10 Month Checkup Stats:
Weight: 21 lbs., 6 oz
Height: 30 inches

Paisley...you are so sweet! You go with the flow and are pretty mellow. You are brave, active, sweet and very loving. Sometimes you just want to snuggle, while other times you are on the go. We love seeing your personality shine. You are becoming much more independent and starting to play with toys. You adore your brother and Marley and just want to be doing whatever they are. We love you P!

Aloha

We just got back from Maui and are going thru a little island withdrawal. We had such a great trip and are already trying to figure out the next time we can head back. Roman and Paisley couldn't be happier than spending the week at the pool and beach.

Here are some pics from the trip.


Both kids did really good on the flights. Roman couldn't be happier than eating lots of snacks and watching his favorite "Mick". Paisley was a little challenging since she wanted to be on the move, but other than giving me a good arm workout she was great.


We stayed at the Outrigger Aina Nalu in Lahaina. We stayed here since this is where the wedding party was staying. It turned out to be perfect. It was a smaller hotel with 2 pools and walking distance to Lahaina. We had 2 bedrooms, a kitchen and living room. We felt like it was a hidden gem and perfect with the kids and very affordable. We can't wait to go back.


Nothing makes Roman more happy than being in a pool.


Lil P loves swimming too. People kept asking us all weekend, "how did you get your kids to love the water so much?" as Paisley would try and submerge her entire face in the water. All I can say is that it is simply in their blood. Our kids have just been obsessed with water since Day 1.


Our favorite lunch spot, Cheeseburger's In Paradise. We got an amazing view of the ocean.


When in Hawaii, you have to splurge on the extra large smoothie filled in a cheesy pineapple cup. Roman thought it was the greatest thing ever. AND don't ask me about the Double Monkey Trouble. Jason had 2!


The boys at the beach. We went to watch the sunset at the local Lahaina beach.


Paisley aka "The Sand Monster" was busy all week shoveling sand into her mouth and enjoying eating it. We were at the beach and I was busy getting something out of my bag. A man comes over to me and says, "Excuse me...but do you know that your baby is eating lots of sand?" No I didn't, but THANKS!


YUMMMM! SAND.


Next day we spent the day in Kaanapali and rented a cabana on the beach. A must if you and your children are not natural tanners. It was fun to have a whole day at the beach and be in the ocean.


Jason loved being in the ocean with the kids.


Lounging with her Formula One cocktail.


My Little Hawaiian doll. This girl was SOOOO easy to travel with. She makes life so simple.


The Snowcones in Lahaina are unlike any I have ever had. We went twice. Paisley and Roman LOVED it.


Had lunch and explored The Hyatt (one of our favorite places to stay in Maui)


That night was the Rehearsal Dinner and we got a babysitter. If you are ever going to Maui and need a babysitting service, I HIGHLY recommend our sitter thru Happy Maui Kids (Sarah Westbrook). She was so good with both kids and most importantly they were happy with her. I was tentative about leaving them, but she eased all my fears within 5 minutes of meeting her. Before the rehearsal, we went downtown for an hour to get a cocktail.


Jason and The Heckmans (Jon was the Groom). The Heckman and Maddox families grew up one street away from each other. Jon and Jason grew up like brothers as both being only children. We were so happy to be in Hawaii celebrating him getting married.

The next night was the wedding. It was at a private house in Makena (right next to Wailea).

The venue was unbelievable. Best word to describe this place was magical.


Everyone was asked to wear white or beige. The tables and decor was all white too. Everything looked so peaceful and elegant.


Doesn't get much better than that for dinner.


Jon and Jackie's vows were heartfelt, emotional and funny.


This couple is such a example of sacrifice, patience and true love. Both of them have careers that have taken them away from each other for long periods of time, however they just made it work. Jackie just finished her residency and is an OB/GYN, while Jon does special effects for movies. We are so proud of all their accomplishments and for following their dreams.


The beautiful couple


The Men


The Ladies


The next day we visited the Rohrlicks, who were in Wailea. So fun to hang out for the day at the beach and the pool. Paisley and Lucy are about 6 months apart. I know they are going to be close friends.


Just love this family!


Look who passed out at the pool


Roman adores Maddie. It was fun for him to get some time to hang out with a friend.

Our last day at the pool.







Future Surfer Girl?


Our plane ended up getting delayed, so we headed to the Aquarium. Highly recommend. Best shark tunnel ever! Look at Paisley. She is unsure about being so close to the shark.


I knew Roman would like all the fish, but Paisley loved it too. She couldn't stop staring at all the big fish.


Until next time Hawaii. We will miss you!!!