Watah-Watah

Here is a little view of our latest fun with Joshua. He just loves getting yummy water from a straw!

First Family Vacation

Father's Day weekend took us on our first family vacation. It all started with talk of driving up to visit my sister, Susan. We were looking into various options of how to make that work and the end result was that we would meet in the middle at Pismo Beach. Susan found this vacation rental that looked perfect! It was the perfect size for our 3 "families".

The fun part was that through the talk of scenarios, my dad was under the impression we were going to Monterey and leaving on Friday. At the last minute, my mom told him Jim and I decided we should leave on Thursday to split the trip for Joshua so it wasn't such a long travel day. She said we would be finding someplace to stay.

I started my packing list a couple weeks in advance. For a first trip, I figured it was better to overpack rather than underpack and learn what things I wouldn't really need. It was going to be interesting sharing a room with Josh. I wasn't' sure who would be disrupted by it more, him or us. But each night was better than the previous one and by the third night we all actually overslept his first feeding. And he napped pretty well all weekend too.

We arrived at the house at about 4:15pm on Thursday. Susan came walking out with Jack (her black Lab) and he bounded straight towards my dad. The funny thing was that he didn't really give the dog much thought. We learned later he was just assuming this was the owner of the place where we were staying and their dog. Once he heard Susan's voice, the shock hit. You have to remember that he wasn't expecting to see Susan until the next day. So it was Mission: Accomplished and a lot of fun. The revelations continued as he learned this was where we were really staying all weekend.

So here are a few pictures of the Sand Castle:

Our great dining table.

On the roof was a big grill which we used for hamburgers and chicken kabobs.

There was also this nice little seating area. Saturday night we built a fire here and had S'mores.

Sunset view from our roof.

Friday we spent some time at a few wineries in Avila. There was also a cool farmer's market going on there. I did some tasting at one the wineries. I'm not a big drinker, but between liver issues and baby stuff, I just don't really drink anymore at all. It is nice to be able have the occasional drinks though.

This is at one of the winery stores. Josh was a total trooper.

This trip was filled with lots of firsts for Josh - long drive, overnight somewhere else. One of the firsts was going to a park and swinging on Saturday. He was absolutely swimming in the seat, but he did really well. There was another little girl to his right whom he was almost constantly looking at.

Such a cutie pie!

And we had to do the slide too!

Auntie Susie, Jack, me and Josh

Saturday afternoon Jim and Susan rented ATVs on the beach. This was Jim's first time and it sounds like they had a lot of fun. Susan got stranded in a big crater and Jim had a little bit of an accident. But they both survived and came back thoroughly exhilarated.

Another first for Josh was eating in a real restaurant Saturday night. We picked one we had passed driving back from Avila the day before. It looked more casual from the outside than it ended up being. We were there early enough that it was pretty empty and they put us in the back for Josh. I don't think this restaurant is used to having little kids there. They had a high chair which apparently we broke in for the first time. The staff didn't necessarily seem to be annoyed to have an infant there, but they didn't seem real thrilled about it either.

But he was a very good boy and we had a lot of fun with him. He ate wonderfully and didn't really get bored. He became very vocal throughout the weekend I think just because of people being around the whole time. So he was continuing to practice that at the restaurant.



I have only half-heartedly been trying to give Joshua a sippy cup of water. He hasn't quite figured out how to work it, but I think he does manage to get some water down his throat. But sometimes I like to just use a straw as a dropper and he LOVES it! He gets so excited about it.


Joshua really seems to enjoy social interaction. He loves being part of the group. It's enough to keep him quite entertained. And of course he keeps all of us entertained too.


Our drive home was nice too. When we pulled off for Josh's feeding we found a shady little corner. We sat out on the grass while I fed him his fruit and veggies. Jim put him in the normal car seat for fun and I just love this picture!


It was really great to get away. I can't really say it was relaxing, but the change of scenery was great. I think it will be a long time before vacations are ever truly relaxing for me again. And my packing list served me well. I only forgot one thing - not too shabby!

The BIRDS!!!!

Josh is ever increasing his stores of energy and Jim and I are trying to find new ways to keep him entertained. My friend Melanie suggested I get a bird feeder so that when he is in his playpen by the sliding door, he can watch the birds. She said her daughter loved it.

So Memorial weekend Jim hung the bird feeders.

We filled it with feed specifically designed for songbirds. I thought it would be a nice change from the squawking crows (hopefully). I secretly feared that it would attract more crows.

Jim filled up the feeder and then we waited.

It took several days for the birds to find the feeder. The most amazing part was that it was on a day my cats ran outside for the first time in months. Bailey refused to come back, so I just let him stay out there for about five hours. I was excited to see a bird at the feeder and then shocked to see Bailey laying near by just watching.

Over the next few days, I noticed a few more birds finding their way to the feeder. What shocked me most was when I left for work one morning with the feeder half full...

And came home to it looking like this:

Empty. Decimated. Ravished.

The carnage was appalling. And the mess beyond forgiveness.

The number of birds in our yard has seemed to increase almost every day. Should I be concerned? How many birds are going to come? What is this going to cost me to keep them fed? What have I gotten myself into? I'm having horrible Hitchockian nightmares.

Although, despite the aftermath, I have truly enjoyed the singing of the birds. So, I acquiesced and refilled the feeder.

And as I was cleaning things up outside, I started to get an eerie feeling. I could sense the rising tension of the birds waiting to feel safe enough to descend on their refreshed feast. I really wanted to capture pictures of them, so I settled into a chair and waited.

The birds waited too.

And they started to increase in number.

So close, yet so far away.

They came from far and wide.

And finally swooped in.

I think this is the guy from the wire.

We got a hummingbird feeder too, but I have yet to see a hummingbird. I know they're around because I have seen them from time to time. Hopefully they will find their beachy resort.

And the poor cats...

So close, yet so far away.

UPDATE: When I wrote this post yesterday, I had filled the bird feeder in the late afternoon. I came home from work this evening and the feeder is already EMPTY!!! BIRDS!!!!