Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Happy Birthday Cake!

Our tiny baby turned 2 years old on Monday! Unbelievable. It seems like she shouldn't have changed that much from the little munchkin we met in August 2009. And yet...

Michaela had her doctor's appointment yesterday, and now weighs 26 pounds (40th percentile) and is 34 inches tall (60th percentile). She stood on the scale like a big girl to get weighed, and attended the appointment wearing her Minnie Mouse "big girl" panties, because she is doing quite well on her potty training (contrary to what she displayed during the excitement of her birthday party).


She loves to talk, and surprises me with new words every day. The longest string of words put together occurred this week, when she kept saying/singing "Happy Birthday to you." We have moved her into her "big girl bedroom over the past week, and she is sleeping in a twin bed with rails and doing fine now. She is even starting to refer to it as her "own."

I don't know where she's seen someone do that...

With gusto!

Really Papi? Did you have to ask her to show you her bite??

What does this toy do? Anyone?

Greyson coming to assist

Checking out the Mr. Potato Head toys

Daddy helping her ride her new bouncy horse - "Rody"

 We had all sorts of fun family over for a party on Saturday. We barbecued, and ate cake (see above), Michaela opened presents, and generally enjoyed each other's company. Perhaps everyone but poor, tired, little cousin Greyson had a great time.


"Here Greyson, want to see what I have?"

"Try looking at it up close!"

a little vacation

Adam and I had the pleasure of taking a get-away, no-daughter-allowed vacation at the end of July. It was a little weird leaving Michaela with Nana for several nights (we've only been away from her for one night at a time before) but I knew I had to grab the chance before baby #2 comes (for those of you who didn't know... this is the announcement!) and we don't have the opportunity for another 18 months.

So with that as the backdrop, Adam and I packed as little luggage as we could and headed off for Maui. It was the first time to Hawaii for both of us, and we loved it, though we could have done without the sky-high prices of everything. But I guess that's the price of paradise.

We didn't do a whole lot, but it was relaxing and a wonderful change of pace. I think our favorite day was the day we drive the road to Hana. At the end we visited a beach recommended by a local to eat our picnic box lunch, and it was truly spectacular. Enjoy the photos!









The beach where we ate our lunch on the far east side of the island.

A cheeseburger at the original 'Cheeseburger in Paradise'

The view from said cheeseburger stand
 Our hotel was located on Ka'anapali Beach, one of the best touristy beaches in Maui. At the far end was Black Rock(s?). The following photo sequence details Adam conquering the Black Rock like a local. I was just trying not to drop the camera in the ocean, so pardon the blurry details.

After swimming out, he climbs up the lava rock

At the top, conversing with locals and checking on technique

Taking the plunge! (Don't worry, he survived.)

The last morning at our hotel, we received kukui nut leis in farewell.

The Three Musketeers

From the 4th of July... Michaela and her buds...