Princess in training

First of all, Good Luck Mrs. Jessica (Daigle) on your social work test this afternoon!!  You can do this!!

When I dropped off the Doodle Bug this morning at school, all the little chairs were full of other kids eating or finishing breakfast.  She stood there looking at the kids and the teachers like "Where am I supposed to sit?  It is time for me to eat MY breakfast.  One of you need to move."  Such the princess diva.  It is good that one little girl was finished.  I am also glad that she didn't go up to another kid and start stealing their food, which she has done in the past.  

Oh yeah did I say 2 teeth???  I MEANT 4!

If you no longer want to get emails from this blog, please let me know.  I have some people hard coded into the blog and if it is too much I can take it out.  I was told I post too often.

Drool Monster is back

Yes, she has precious little black shoes that go with the dress, I just refuse to put shoes on this child until we get places because she just takes them off again.  Although I guess I should have put them on for a picture.  Oh well, will call for a photo session later.  She looked so precious at church in her dress that auntie Jessie and uncle Derek got her for her birthday.  We haven't been to church due to vacation and sickness in a while so it was great to get back.

I looked in the stinkers mouth last night and she has 2 more teeth coming in.  I can see the white spots under the gums.  Poor baby she is drooling constantly and is more cranky than normal.  I am hoping once we get over all of this mess she will want to eat something.  Still fighting that battle.

Juliet has started trying to say daddy.  Still likes dada because it is easier, but we have heard daddy 2-3 times.

We found 2 of those box cameras that were left over from J&D's wedding that Juliet and I had a ton of fun with last night.  Who knows what kind of pictures will come out of those if any.  She got so tickled seeing that box in front of my face.  Belly laughs were contagious.

Apple

Juliet started saying apple this weekend. I can tell her apple and she will say abble. Very cute. She also "ate" a piece of my apple this afternoon. Mama had brought over some of the honeycrip apples, YUMMM, and I had cut one up. She sucks the juice out of it and if she gets a piece in her mouth she spits it out. She is still not eating for us, even the leftover Chick-Fil-A nuggets did not tempt her.
We played in the wagon and walked around outside alot because the weather was nice.

Better

Thanks for thinking about Juliet. I think she is finally on the mend. Getting the medicine in her and letting it work was the turning point. She has had 2 good days at school and slept 8 hours last night. Off and running again.

Love Laura

Sick - AGAIN

If you haven't heard, Juliet is sick again. She started running a 101.5 fever Saturday afternoon and it spiked to 103.5 on Sunday night, causing a 3 am lukewarm bath. We all know how that went. We took her to the Dr. and her white count is elevated, means her body is working to fight an infection and her left ear is red. He gave her medicine which she had proceeded to throw up both times we have given it to her. Another 103.1 temp this afternoon called for another lukewarm bath. Poor baby screamed and screamed again. Gave her Motrin which caused the fever to break again and scared her pretty bad, as it does each time it breaks. Finally got her to take a 6 oz bottle and 1/2 cup of water. Hopefully she gets some rest. Please pray for her speedy recovery.
It's not good that neither Jon or I feel all that great either.

I can do it

Today when I took Juliet to school she noticed that there was an empty highchair and figured it was waiting on her, she walked over to it and hit the tray trying to get it off. Mrs. Rosa was busy so I helped her get the tray off and she climbed in the chair. There wasn't enough room for her to turn around so I helped her sit and she lifted her arms for me to put the tray on. Then I noticed her look down the row at Mrs. Rosa to make sure she was bringing her food. You can tell this is a daily ritual. I had hoped while she was distracted I could leave. No such luck, she started screaming.

Jon took her to the Dr. for her 2nd H1N1 shot. She is 31.5 inches, she grew an inch and 23.1 lbs, she lost a pound. Dr happy with how she is growing and developing. Must be doing something right.

Maui - Day 14 and Coming Home

Sunday morning was not relaxing at all. We had to pack and be out of the hotel by noon, flight not till 6:30. We tried to check in for the flight but could not because apparently Continental never paid Hawaiian for Juliet's flight and a story for another time we spent 1 1/2 hours at the airport trying to get her ticket sorted out. I think all the packing wore Juliet out because she was very cranky but would not rest because she knew something was up. Finally on our way, stopped by the Salvation Army to donate the microwave we bought, (it was $50 and the hotel wanted to charge us $25 a night for one.) We made money on that deal.

I had seen a scrapbooking store Island Paperie on the way back from pictures and Jon let me stop in on our way to the airport. What a place, most of their stuff is designed and made right there in the store. It was so fun, I will take pics of the pages I make.

Next we stopped for lunch at a cafe / sushi bar, I know weird right? Well there were three people working and a line out the door. Took over an hour for lunch, good thing we were early for the airport... Right???

After fighting with Continental for so long Hawaiian finally gave up and just put Juliet as a lap child for that flight. I wasn't about to let that happen for the trip to Houston so I got the agent to give me a number for customer service. The main number for Continental was out of service so I got a support line that is only for agents. Guy was not happy with me for having that number, get over it dude. He finally agreed to just check her in if I destroyed that number, he doesn't know me, and let the Continental agent print her boarding pass.

Flight from Maui to Honolulu was uneventful, just a tired baby. We got on the plane in Honolulu and Juliet fell asleep before we were even in the air. We taxied for 6 minutes and that is all she needed to close her eyes. Flight was pretty bumpy, she woke up about 4 Houston time and went back to sleep about the time we landed. Figures!

Meme picked us up at the airport and we took Juliet to school, let me tell you how well that went over, but she survived.

We had a wonderful trip!

Aloha for the last time! - Laura

Maui - Day 13

Today was, well relaxed.

Watched the superbowl, went for a walk, took a nap, went for another walk, ate dinner and then Jon took Lynn and Denny to the airport while Juliet and I slept.

Not too exciting, just another day in paradise.

Aloha

Maui - Day 12

Today we went snorkling, it was really cool.

Lots of fish and coral and with the water was so clear. We were able to hear the whales while we were swimming too. That is always a treat. We rented umbrellas so that Juliet was not out in the sun for a long time. The first time we went out, I heard her screaming a long way away, guess it's my "mommy hearing". She was so ready for a nap, just didn't want to go down outside. So I took her in for a bottle and a nap and she was happy again. Too busy for naps I guess.

We had Bubba Gump shrimp again tonight. I wanted fried shrimp since I am not going to be having much fried for some time to come.

As you can see the days are more relaxed, not much going on, just enjoying the island and having fun.

Maui - Day 11

Today was a slow day, which was good.

We started out on the beach playing in the sand and the water, Juliet now doesn't have a problem with either one. She really likes it when you put water in her bucket and then she pours it out. When in the sand she wants one person to hold her hand not two, I think it throws her off.

We went into Lahaina and had Cheesburger in Paradise again, I got a color changing glass that Juliet took and acted like she was drinking out of. Of course she captured the attention of half the restaurant by the time we left. We did a little touristy shopping and walked around a bit before going back for nap time.

Snorkling tomorrow!

Maui - Day 10

Wow, day 10, where has our vacation gone? I can't believe it is already Thursday, it seems like we just got here.
Juliet started the morning standing on the lenai going Ba over and over every time she saw or heard a bird. Seeing a pattern from day to day?
It is calmer water today, it amazes me that from one day to the next how the water can change from strong to calm. It is still pretty windy though.
I noticed Juliet walking backwards to Jon this morning. Not sure where this one came from, but one minute she is five steps from him the next she is taking baby steps backwards.
We went to the lei making offered by the hotel. The guy was funny and liked what he was doing. We are crafty people.
We went to our Luau tonight, it was awesome! I chose the Feast at Lele because it was on the beach and you sat at tables not on the ground. Bonus in my book. When you got there they greeted you with a flower lei and a Mai Thai. Nothing wrong with that greeting in my book. We were seated on the front row with the stage not 5 feet in front of us. As the sun sat on Maui we were treated to 5 courses from 4 islands. Hawaii, Aoteatoa New Zeland, Tahiti, and Samoa, and finished it off with a fire dancer. Talk about wonderful. It was just Jon and me and we enjoyed it very much. Pics are posted.

Aloha Laura

Maui - Day 9

Jon let me sleep in a little this morning due to the fact that Juliet is sleeping on me now and it is keeping me awake. They were walking down the hall and she was being loud, as usual, and he told her "Shhh, people are sleeping." Well what does she do? She says "Shhh" back to him, well it sounds more like a hiss, but it is cute anyways. I did manage to get it on video later in the morning.
We did breakfast this morning at The Westin, since the buffet here is a little greasy at times. They have parrots and flamingos by their pool that Juliet likes to look at.
Ba is our new word. She loves birds, watches for them, points them out, yells at them and chases them and if one of them talks, she will pop that head up and look for it. They have woken her up 2-3 times now. Stupid bird. We also love dogs, if there is a dog on the beach she will watch it until she can't see it anymore. Made it interesting when we were trying to take pics the other day.
We tried the pool today but it was very windy and the pool was cold. She wanted nothing to do with the cold water.
We ate at Lahiana Fish Company tonight for dinner. Juliet fell asleep on the way there and slept until the food got there. She needed that nap, what a bear. After we went to Ono Gelato, for mint chocolate gelato, YUMMM! I love gelato!
When we got back to the room we were playing around before bath and she took Jon's DS charger and was holding it to her ear like a cell phone. It was too cute because I one time it looked like she rolled her eyes like she was exasperated at the conversation she was having. What a personality we have.
Tomorrow is Lei Making and Luau.

Aloha Laura

Maui - Day 8

Today we did family portraits on the beach. We were running a little behind and I called Karma of Good Karma Photography to let her know we were running a few minutes behind. She was glad is called because the beach we were going to go to was very cloudy and dark. She suggested that we move to the North Shore which is usually too windy to shoot on, but today there was no wind and the water was beautiful. I have not seen those colors of aqua, teal and turquoise in water like that before. I can’t wait to see the pictures. Juliet did awesome, she walked on the sand, she played in the water, she even let the waves come in and come around her ankles, she acted like she liked us, and she even danced to the wheels on the bus when I put her swimmie and hula skirt on her. What a mess that little girl is.
I have started two really bad habits while we are here, and they will be a stinker to break when we get home, but I have to choose my battles.
#1 – Juliet will not eat, she refuses food. Only wants yogurt and a bottle. So I have started letting her run around when it is time to eat. She comes to me for a bite or three, then plays a minute and then comes back. Hey, she is eating something.
#2 – This one is so I can get some sleep, Juliet gets in bed with us when she wakes up to eat at 2 am. She will not go back in that crib. She wants to lay sideways and can’t do it in that crib. So she makes our family a H in the bed. Mommy and Daddy sleeping, Juliet laying in the middle with her head one one of us and her feet on the other.
SIGH
She still sounds like a congested cat when she breathes.
It rained most of the afternoon so we roamed, aka got lost, around the resort and was very fussy most of the afternoon. It was early to bed for her and hopefully a peaceful night. None of the tiki torches have been lit for the last two nights, guess it is because of the rain.
Still have the Luau on Thursday night, lei making Thursday morning and want to go snorkeling sometime before Sunday. It’s supposed to be chilly here the next couple of days though. Somewhere around 74, burrrr.
Aloha - Laura

Maui - Day 7

Last night we did some shopping in Whaler’s Village. Lynn and Denny took Juliet so we could shop in peace. There was a guy singing in the courtyard and he saw Juliet dancing to his music. He asked her name and then dedicated Winnie the Pooh to Juliet. Wasn’t that sweet?
Today Jon and I did the Road to Hana, Juliet stayed at the hotel. Thank goodness. Put one finger on the west end where we are staying and the other on the east end where Hana is and you see we went across Maui. Well technically in a circle because of the way we came back. We started at 7:30 am and got back at 6:30 pm. I am so glad stinker was not with us.
The Road to Hana is a winding coastal road with over 600 hairpin turns and over 50 one lane bridges. The average speed is between 15 and 20 miles per hour. It is around 50 miles from the beginning to the end of the Road to Hana. Not counting the time it takes to get to marker 0.
Our first stop was a place called Twin falls. Due to the drought that Hawaii is under, there was only one fall flowing. Was still a sight to see. Next we went to the Garden of Eden Arboretum. They have there the rock from the opening scene of Jurassic Park, although when you look at it there are power lines running in front of it. We also saw a 100 year old mango tree and another set of falls. Unfortunately our guide did not tell us to take a lot of cash, so we were unprepared for everywhere that took cash only and was $10 a person. Our next stop was Honomanu Bay. This is a small secluded black sand beach that if you weren’t watching your guide you would have missed. We traveled next to Keanea Peninsula which overlooks a plantation that was once destroyed by tsunami. Stupid warning siren testing almost made me jump out of my skin. We then went to Wailua Valley lookout where you looked into the lush green of a crater. We stopped by the Pua’a Ka’a State Park hoping to see a mongoose, but what we saw was an idiot almost fall over a waterfall. I had my camera ready for the fall, too bad though. We tried next to find Nahiku Landing, never found the scenic bay, only locals. Our next venture was to Pi’ ilanihale Heiau, which was ancient for worship and sacrifice, but guess what, it was in another park that wanted $10 a head. Where was our guide on this? All the Hawaii guides tell you not to carry a lot of cash and this trip requires a lot of it. Needless to say we voted no on that one. We did have fun in the Wainapanapa State Park watching the white waves crash into the black rocks and onto the black sand. We also saw a rock shaped like a dinosaur. After that stop we went on to Hana which, the road leading to it is the good part, not the town itself. We were tired and hungry and picked up a burger before heading back.
We decided to try one more park to see a 400 ft waterfall, but the drought in the SE part of Maui has dried up all the falls. What a disappointment. The road back was very narrow and bumpy, but we made it back with a beautiful view.
Photos on flickr, don’t miss them.
Aloha - Laura

Maui - Day 6

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Uncle Derek and his family.  They lost their Grandmommie today.  We love you all.

Juliet started our day out with a laugh today as she chased a bird at breakfast and screamed buh buh at him.  Still working on bird.  Quite humorous though.  We are down to one nap a day on this trip and it is making for three cranky people.  We are used to her having at least two a day.  Our new game is hitting the sliding glass door with our hand and laughing at the sound.

We went down to the beach today, pics in 2 days and she still doesn't like the sand...  She did manage to drop a bottle of sunscreen on my foot and leave a huge blue bruise on top of it.  OUCH

Jon was playing in the water and he went under once and came back up and told us he could hear the whales when he went under.  You so could, you could hear the males singing if you stayed under for a bit.  It was so cool because you don't hear that unless you have the microphone on one of the tour boats.  When we came up we saw a competition pod less than a mile away.  They were fighting and one even breached about 500 yards from shore.  It was a very cool show.  The beach pretty much shut down while they so close to the shore.  There had to be 5 or 6 whales in the pod.

We ate at Leilani's tonight, they have Hula Pie that is good if you like Macadamia Nut ice cream.  I had the fish and chips made with ono.  That was awesome.   We got back to find a nice red rash on Juliet's back.  What is it with this trip and that little stinker?


Road to Hana in the morning.

Aloha - Laura