Our Getaway

Monday, August 10, 2009



I have been so busy since this trip, but I thought I should post about our first getway since Melissa was born. Paul and I had our first a long weekend getaway in over two years. The last vacation we had just the two of us was when I was six months pregnat with Melissa. Since then we have had family vacations.

This was a must needed trip. It was so good just to spend one on one time with each other and remember what it was like when it was just the two of us. Oh don't get me wrong, I thought about Melissa all the time, but I knew she was in good hands. Melissa stay home and her DD came and took care of her. Paul had been working in Calfronia for three weeks and I got to join him at the end of the 2nd week. I packed my bags and flew to Santa Anna, Calfroina. I didn't know what to since I was flying by myslef. I didn't have to worry about anyone but myself. Oh it was a weird feeling. Paul was staying in Laguna Hills and we spent most of the time out on the beach. We love the beach and the sun! Laguna Beach is a nice place to visit. It has a lot of history to it. I was reading the history about Laguna Beach and it is the home of the artist. Laguna Beach has an Art Festaval from June-September. I hadn't every seen many artist before. One of my favorite artist Wayland has his on Gallery at Laguna Beach. I was first was introudced to Wayland's art work on my honeymoon in Maui Hawaii. I don't have a pieace of his work, but when I get a house and have the money I'm buying something from him.

Our weekend started out on Thursday, July 30, 2009. Paul had to work that day and by the time I flew in and got settled in at the hotel it was getting close to dinner time. So off we went to Laguna Beach area. We ate a place call Las Brisas it was good. On Friday Paul had to work so I had a day to myself. What to do, I haven't been by myself in two years! I slept in and headed down to the pool. I needed to start reading my stuff for my new job. That passed the time and then it was lunch time. Paul had a short lunch break so we headed to In-N-Out Burger. This is a must when you go to California. After lunch we I took Paul back to work and I had the rent car to do what ever. I did some shopping and just enjoyed the beautiful Calfornia weather. That evening we headed back to the beach area and had a good dinner at El Callejon. After dinner we walked around and did some window shopping. We did buy Melissa and I something. We got matching ankel braclets and toe rings at Shelby's. They had all kinds of neat items. Melissa is getting in to jewelry and I thought it would be fun for us to be matching.
Saturday rolled around and we headed to the beach. Our friends told us of a nice beach to try out. Laguna beach is so busy, if you just go either a little south or a little north the beaches aren't so bad. We spent the day at Treasure Island Beach. I hadn't been in the pacific water but I heard it was cold. Yes, it was cold but it didn't take long to get use to it. The ocean was ruff that day so the waves where strong. I didn't spend a lot of time in the water that day. I enjoyed laying out on the beach sleeping , reading and just doing a lot of thinking. After the long day at the beach we head for a nice dinner to Nick's the have good fish and chips. One of Paul's co-workers told us about a great place to get good milk shakes. We took a little drive to Newport beach and found the Shake Shack. I think this place was at one time family owned and had a lot more choice to choose from. Even Rachel Ray had this on her $40 a day show. We found out it was bought out to Ruby's Diner. I thought the shackes were good. The view from Crystal Cove was beautiful. Sunday was our last day of vaction. We got up that moring and head back to Newport Beach and took a Auto Ferry to Balboa Island. Come to find out we could have drove to this Island also. It only cost us $3.00 to take the Ferry. One thing about this Island is parking. I don't know what it's like on the week days, but the weekend its impossible to find a parking spot. Every parking spot has a meter so you have to pay and you only have 6 hours to park in that spot. I like the beach, the waves where bigger than Treasure Island Beach, but not as strong. I don't know if that makes since. Paul and I had fun playing in the waves and we got lots of sun that day. We finally got to see a sunset. All the other nights the clouds would roll in right before the sunset and we never got our sunset over the ocean until Sunday. Paul and I had a great time and we hope we can do this again in about 6 months. Since Paul travels so much he is always going to neat places.

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Our 2009 Family vacation

Saturday, June 6, 2009

I'm sorry I haven't posted in over two weeks. Life around here has been busy for us. After we got back from visiting DD we had a week to rest and repack our bags for our family vacation to Florida. The week of our trip Melissa came down with fever so I had to take her in to the Doctors to make sure she was okay. Melissa had 102 fever for 3 days. The Doctor said it was a viral infection and nothing we could do expect give her Motrin. I had been giving her Motrin, but it didn't seem to be working. I ask the nurse how much I should be giving her of the infant Motrin. Well comes to find out even though the package said 6-24 months doesn't mean Melissa needs that. She weighed 29 lbs so they said she could take Children's Motrin. No wonder I could not get her fever down. After Melissa got better, I came down with a sines infection two days before our trip. I wasn't going to let this stop me from my well deserved vacation. So off to the Doctor's office. Since I was leaving for vacation my Doctor was nice enough to give me a shot to help speed up the healing. I still had to take antibiotics.

On May 23, 2009 Paul, Melissa and I headed to the airport for our family vacation. I was nervous about this trip because it was over 2 hours and with Melissa being potty trained I didn't know how she would do on a longer flight. She did great, no accidents. As we arrived in Tampa Florida we could already feel the warm air and was ready to hit the water. We stayed with Aunt Cynthia and Uncle Steve in Tarpon Springs Florida, this is on the West Coast side. This is our annual trip to see them. We love hang out with them and they love having us, but most of all having Melissa around to spoil.

We spent the first day taking a nap (since we had to get up earlier to catch a plane) and swimming in there pool. Melissa loved walking outside and seeing a swimming pool. She is our little fish! The next day we headed to Clearwater Florida to check out the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. We thought Melissa would like to see this. As we arrived a dolphin show was starting. This was the first time Melissa had seen a dolphin. She loved every minute of the show. They also had sea turtles, otters and sting rays.
After that we went to eat lunch at Bubby Gumps it was tasty! Then it was time to head back to the house for Melissa afternoon nap. That evening we stay home swimming.

On the 3rd and 4th day we headed to Honeymoon Island for the beach. It's only a 10 minute drive from the house. Once again Melissa loved the water. She loved the water splashing her face.

Our last day the 5th day we took Melissa to a park so she could run around. At this point we needed a break from the water. It was a nice park she had fun and made new friends. We had a nice picnic lunch the we headed back home to rest so we could swim one last time on our vacation. Melissa was doing so well jumping the pool. She isn't afraid to jump and I glad she likes the water, but it also make me scared that she loves it so much. I see more swim lesson coming soon.

On May 28, 2009 we pack our bags and headed back to the airport. We where sad to go home, but it was time. Melissa didn't understand why we had to go home. We love make this family memories with Melissa. We had a great vacation and look forward to going back again next year.
Thanks Aunt Cynthia and Uncle Steve for opening you home up.

Check out our video, I didn't put all the pictures on there, I didn't want to bore you all.

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Back from Vacation

Thursday, July 10, 2008

We're back from Florida and had a great time!

Day 1 July 2nd:
Our vacation started out flying to Tampa Florida and then driving to Tarpon Springs about a 45 minute drive. Melissa did well on the plane and the car ride, but was ready to run around. Uncle Steve was home to welcome us to Florida. Melissa hadn't met Uncle Steve or Aunt Cynthia so she was getting a lot of love. We also met Amy the cat, Melissa was chasing Amy all over the place. We didn't do much that night. They had dinner ready for us and then after Melissa went to bed we went swimming.

Aunt Cynthia meeting Melissa for the first time


Uncle Steve meeting Melissa for the first time


Amy the cat trying to figure out Melissa

Day 2 July 3rd:
Started off early! Melissa thought we all needed to be up at 7:00a, that's 6:00a Texas time! Aunt Cynthia and Uncle Steve have a nice back yard with a pool. There is also a pond outside there back yard that has a lot of wild life. It has an alligator, lots of turtles, ducks, all kinds of birds and big fish. We never saw the Alligator, but could hear it at night making noises.

We had breakfast and dinner out on the patio almost everyday. Melissa enjoyed eating outside and listing to the birds. After Melissa's morning nap we heading to Honeymoon Island. It's a state park with great beaches. This was Melissa's first trip to the beach so we didn't know how she would do. She loved every minute of it. She saw the water and was ready to walk on in to the ocean! We forgot her floaty that day so we had to hold on to her tight. When we weren't in the water we were building sand castles or laying out working on the tan!


Ready for the beach


This sand is fun







It was getting time for Melissa afternoon nap plus we had already been at the beach 4 hours so it was time to head back to the house. Melissa took her nap and us adults played in the pool. We then went down to the docks at Tarpon Springs. This is the home of the historic sponge Docks.





Day 3 July 4th:
Up early again thanks to Melissa! Same thing eat breakfast, Melissa takes her morning nap and then head out to another beach. This time we had to take a boat ride to get to this beach. We went to Caladesi Island state park. This beach is ranked among the top 5 beaches in the nation. We had a good time, but the only thing wrong with this is you can only stay on the island for 4 hours. Once again we had a great time sun bathing, playing in the water and building sand castle with Melissa. We took her floaty this time and she loved that. She thought she was big girl plying out in the ocean. She loved it when the waves would splash her. At one point the water was getting her relaxed he fell asleep in her floaty. It was so sweet to see her sleeping in the water. If I would had had a floaty I would have been a sleep myself.












Melissa fell asleep in the ocean!

After the beach we went back to the house got cleaned up and went out to eat. We had plans to go watch fire works on the beach at Aunt Cynthia's friends house, but the street was blocked off and the cops would not let us get to there house. So we had to do like everyone else find a place on the street and stand outside of your car to watch the fire works. The fire works were still good. Melissa fell asleep in the car so she didn't get to see the fireworks this year, maybe next year she can see them.


Happy 4th of July!

Day 4 July 5th:
We thought we would just stay home today and play in the pool. Melissa was loving that. After her her naps she got to play in the water. She loved it when Paul and I would jump in the pool and make BIG waves.












That night Paul and I went out on a date. We left Melissa with DD, Steve and Cynthia. Aunt Cynthia loved having Melissa around. Paul and I ate dinner at Shells in Clearwater and watched the sunset. Then we walked around for awhile and headed back home. Paul had to catch an early flight out the next morning so we didn't stay out to long. It was nice just having dinner with out little hands getting into everything.




Day 5 July 6th:
Paul and I got up early so I could take him to the airport. That afternoon Steve, Cynthia, DD, Melissa and I went on a boat ride looking for dolphins. We didn't see any, but still had a good time. No beach again today just hanging out by the pool.









Day 6 July 7th:
Steve and Cynthia had to go back to work so DD, Melissa and I headed to the beach for our last day. We had a good time at the beach. That night we all went out to eat and to see the sunset. That was a good way to end our vacation.

One week until our family vacation

That's right we are taking a family vacation. Next Wednesday we will be flying to Tampa Florida. We aren't staying in Tampa, we will be staying with Family who live in Tarpon Springs! Paul and I can't wait to be sitting on the beach. Melissa will get to enjoy the beach, but she will be busy getting spoiled by her Aunt and Uncle. She hasn't meet them yet.

Can't wait to share pictures with you all!

Melissa's 1st road trip!

On 5/31/08 we packed up the SUV and headed to Boerne Texas or the hill country. Paul's brother Dan and family live in the hill country outside of Boerne. Melissa did good for her 1st road trip. It took us about 7 hours to get there because of the three stops we made. Melissa only slept 1 hour out of the whole 7 hours. She did good as long as I was in the back with her. Once we got to the in-laws Melissa was ready to be on the move. She had know idea that she was going to be over run by her cousins, Aunt's and Uncle's. She loved the attention.

That night we had more of Paul's family come out and have dinner with us. Melissa got to meet her Uncle Michael for the 1st time. It was good to see him. By the time bed time came Melissa was ready for bed. I didn't know how she would do sleeping in the pack n play. She did good she slept all night.


Uncle Michael





Cousin Lisa

Uncle Dan

Cousin Sydney reading to Melissa before bed

The next day Sunday, 6/1/08 was just a day of rest for us. I wasn't about to put Melissa in her car seat unless we just had to. Well we did. We went to my brother in-laws church picnic. Melissa had a great time on the water slide with her cousins Conner. Conner is 13 and just loved Melissa. Paul had to leave that day and fly to Houston for work. We stayed busy, missing him.









Monday, 6/2/08 rolls around and Melissa was having fun playing with her three cousins. Conner, Sydney and Jordan. Jordan was the baby of the family until Melissa came. Jordan wasn't to happy with Melissa when we first arrived, but she came around. Jordan is 3 and calls Melissa (Belissa) I just thought that was so cute! Poor Sydney wasn't feeling well so I had to keep Melissa away from her. Sydney just wanted to love all over her and I just didn't want to take a chance of Melissa getting sick.


Jordan reading to Belissa!

That night, my sister in-law Jackie, Sydney, Belissa and I went into town for an snow cone. Melissa loved eating a snow cone! Then the evening goes down hill. We headed over to an area that has lots of grass and Melissa is loving that. She can just walk and walk all she wants. I then take her over to an area that has a water fall and we put our feet in. She had enough of that and wanted to walk around. So she finds herself attracted to a bright light. I didn't think twice about the light. This light was lighting up the flag poll. Well Melissa touch the light and I hear the worst scream come out of her. She had burned her little hand. I didn't think about the cover of this light being hot! I didn't know what to do. Jackie went and got her some ice and we put her hand in it. She is still screaming. I just was sick to my stomach. We are getting ready to take her back to the house to get her to come down. I know what it feels like to burn your hand so it just made me feel so bad. Melissa can't stop crying and makes herself throw up. The drive take about 20 minutes to get back to the house. Once we got her home I gave her some Motrin for the pain, gave her a bath to help calm her down. Her little hand was so red! I was able to get Melissa to stop crying and calm down. I put her to bed and said a prayer that the burn wasn't bad. Believe it or not she slept all night with out waking up. I just thought the worst that she would be up all night.



So the next morning (Tuesday, 6/3/08) Melissa wakes up and her right hand had blisters on all her fingers and 2 more under her pointer finger. I was surprised that she wasn't bothered by it. She played all day it never seemed to hurt. Melissa's older cousins Lisa and Jacob come out to see us. Lisa also brought her nephew Emmit who is almost 2 years old. He loved Melissa, but was rough with her. She didn't know what to do with a boy who was rough. Well later that day Melissa fell over a toy and hit her head on a glass coffee table. Here we go again with the crying. This kid is just getting all banged up on this trip. Luckily she wasn't hurt to bad. Just a little bump that went away that night.


Can you see the blisters on Melissa's hand?


Cousin Jacob


The Liberto Cousin's (missing cousin Courtney)


We headed back to Boerne for another snow cone that night and to listen to a German Band at the park. It was a nice evening and Melissa loved the music. She was walking around clapping her hands and making new friends.






Our visit was coming to an end on (Wednesday, 6/4/08). It was time for Melissa and I to pack up the SUV and start heading home. We planned on stopping in Georgetown to stay with my Girl friend Linda and her family. This would help me break up the trip for Melissa. That morning Melissa woke up in a bad mood. I thought great this is going to be a long 2 hour trip to Georgetown. After her morning nap she was still cranky and not happy. She didn't want to eat her lunch, that was not like her. It was time to go, we said our goodbye's and off we went. We hadn't been gone 10 minutes when I hear Melissa throwing up. I was on the phone with Paul telling him we just left his brother's house when she throw up. I told Paul that I was turning around heading back to the in-laws. I could not believe this. When we got back to their house, Melissa was a mess. I just wanted to cry. I was so worn out from this trip and now this. We take her in give her a bath and she was ready for a nap. When she woke up she was burning up. I knew she was sick. Jackie and I take her into town to the Urgent Care center. Melissa has an ear infection. This was Melissa's 1st ear infection. We ended up staying the night at Dan and Jackie's one more night.

Thursday morning (6/5/08) Melissa woke up and was feeling so much better. She had Motrin, Tylenol and antibiotics in her. Since she was feeling a little better, we had to get home. Wait, I have to drive all day with Melissa. Yes we couldn't stay at my friend Linda's because she wasn't going to be home that night. So Melissa and I got on the road at 9:00am and pulled into our apartment complex at 4:20pm. We did stop at Linda's for lunch and let Melissa play and eat. Melissa slept about a total of 4 hours, that's because she wasn't feeling well.

I can say I was so happy to be home. It wasn't that we had a bad visit, it was that my nerves where shot. Nothing worse then traveling and all those things happening to your baby. I hope that one day I can look back on this and laugh. I'm just happy I had Dan and Jackie to help me out.

Oh remember how I say I didn't want Melissa to get sick! Paul and I both came down with something. Thanks Sydney for the germs! We still love you.

Back Home!

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Melissa and I made it back home on Sunday night. We had a good time at my moms. Melissa got to meet a lot of people while we where there. As soon as we arrived on Wednesday we went out to eat with my sister, her husband and her in-laws. After dinner we went over to Peyton and Alex's place so they could spend some one on one with Melissa. Melissa had a good time playing on the drum. It was nice to get to visit with all of them.







On Thursday Melissa got to meet her Great Grandmother (Mema). Mema loved Melissa and could not get enough of her. We got to visit with her for a couple of hours. I'm glad she got to finally meet Mema.










Friday we didn't do to much. We took Melissa to the park and then had dinner with some close friends. Bill, Sharon and Sara loved entertaining Melissa. I found out that Melissa likes fish tanks. She kept going over to the fish tank and wanting to see the fish. Bill was so nice to help her see the fish.



















Saturday we walked in the Lubbock Great Stride Walk for Cystic Fibrosis. My mom (DD) was the team leader and we had 9 walkers! That was a great turn out. I will have more on this so check out the blog later on. That night we met up with some more friends of mine. Freeman, Aimee, Audrey and Sofie. Freeman and Aimee adopted Audrey from China 4 years ago. She is a sweet girl. Their family grew this week when God sent Sophie to them. They adopted Sophie on Thursday she is 1 years old. Her and Melissa played good together.

Sunday was was Mother's Day so I cooked lunch for my mom and me. We took our Mother's Day picture.