Destin 2010

We had so much fun in Destin! The same group came this year as did last year (minus Olivia who was off galavanting in Europe!!). It was the three of us plus PapaNui & Sheesa (Mira's new name for G'ma Sheila) plus Kenny, Coco, and Avi. This year, however, we chose to fly instead of drive, and we all stayed together in a townhome at SanDestin instead of having seperate hotels. It worked out beautifully!!

Despite the recent Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the Destin beaches were still pristine - white sand, blue oceans, and nothing but the smell of brine in the air!

Mira rode in her own seat most of the way - what a big girl!

Mira could hardly get enough of Sheesa. She wanted her to "read" to her non-stop! She loved sharing cashews and more books with PapaNui. She also had tons of fun with Kenny, Coco, and Avi. The first morning, she found them having a giggle-fest in their bed and joined them in jumping on the bed and a tickle war. So, every morning after that she went in search for this same sweet action!

We were so pleased that Mira LOVED the beach and everything about it! She was so excited when she first saw the sand - she demanded that we let her down so she could "walk." She wanted to stop right by the boardwalk and play in the sand. Then we brought the water to her attention and convinced her to keep moving. She even loved splashing and kicking in the waves!!

Our little diva ready for the beach!

Avi Grace waiting patiently to head to the sandy shores!

Avi and Mira study the flowers while we wait for the tram.

Are we sure the tram is coming???

Mira isn't waiting for anyone - she's going in!

Checking out the wave action with Daddy.

Our family is happy to be at the beach!

Giggles - splashing in the water is FUN!

Avi gets to work digging a "pool".

Kicking in the waves with Mommy.

Kenny making both his girls laugh.

Time to build a sand castle!

She was so content to sit and play in the sand!

Mommy and Mira

Playing with cousin Avi

Quick snack with Sheesa

Kenny feels pretty in this blue floppy hat.

The second day wasn't as great. She was cranky and just not enjoying herself at all the way she did the first day. She did enjoy hunting for seashells though! She spent a long time hunting for seashells - she was very focused and very happy to put her findings (along with the findings of all her helpers!) into her pail and tote it along the shore.

I had a chance to play in the sand with Avi quite a bit, and we even played a few rounds of horseshoes.

Let's go find shells, Daddy!

You, too, Sheesa!

"Ringer" - who's up for a game of horseshoes?

Avi has patented her own technique of building sand stalagtites - pretty cool. I got to be the assistant.

We went to the pool for a very quick dip before a thunderstorm rolled in. But Avi found some goggles that someone had forgotten at the pool - she was thrilled with that score! I took some pics with a disposable water camera, so maybe I'll add those photos once I get them developed.

We went to Fudpucker's for dinner that evening. Mira really loved seeing the alligators and requested we go "see" the "Alli" about a dozen times. Kenny was super-sweet and took her again and again. Avi tried her hardest to feed the alligators, but they were either too tired or too lazy or too full - no takers! Oh, well...she did get to write on the walls!

Avi trying to entice the alligators. No luck.

Mira keeps an arm on Daddy while she eats.

Avi - up to no good.

That evening at dinner, Mira seemed to be incredibly unhappy/uncomfortable and I noticed she was pretty warm, so I took her temperature - 100.4 degrees. We gave her some tylenol and tried to make it through the night. She tossed and turned and cried - sleeping for about 30 minutes at a time, if at all. Finally, I thought to take her temperature again - 104 degrees. I called her doctor who suggested that since she was so fussy along with the fever, we should go ahead and take her to the ER. So, at about 3 a.m., Kenny, Mira, Sheila, Jim, and I all piled into the van (Jim had to drive the rental!) and headed to the local Emergency Room. Thankfully, it was completely empty, and we were seen right away. Diagnosis: infection in both ears! Poor Baby!!

3:30 a.m in the ER - now she sleeps!

The third day was a little better, but the beach trip was cut pretty short. We ended up going to the pool where Mira was much happier; she stayed a lot cooler since she stayed submerged in the water for the most part as opposed to sitting and baking in the heat at the beach.

That night we went to the Village of Baytown Wharf. This is an area within SanDestin that has tons of restaurants, shopping, and activities. We ate at Graffiti's (Yum!) and then managed to get a bit of entertainment in before Mira was completely done with us! Kenny took her to ride a carousel twice while I window shopped for a few minutes. I went and found them while they were on ride number two. Mira was so happy - it was great to see a smile on her face since she had been so fussy for the past couple of days! Unfortunately, as soon as the ride began to slow down, she started to cry!

Sheesa, Mira, and PapaNui

RIDE!!!

No more ride.

Kenny was already nauseas from the two rides - that carousel was turning on a short radius and going fast! I was about to take her when, thankfully, PapaNui volunteered to go. Avi joined the fun, too!

Mira's hero, PapaNui!

Who's enjoying this more?

Hard to tell...

Avi's mesmerized.

Everyone enjoying the ride.

Tried to get a family shot like last years - Mira wasn't interested.

Destin 2009!

After the carousel rides were over, and Mira was distraught about it, we were deciding maybe we would skip the Magic Show that we had planned on watching and just take her back to the townhome. Then, it was Aunt Coco to the rescue!! Can I just say, "Mira LOVES ring pops!" She was more than content with it - she was smiling, laughing, jumping, and dancing throughout the show! The whole time, a little boy with a pacifier in his mouth was eyeing her "paci"!

Love at first lick!

Magic Show and Ring Pop - good deal!

It's only cute because we don't see this everyday.

Sharing with Uncle Kenny and entertaining everyone around us with her dancing, etc.

Kenny and Avi are totally into this magic show - how does he do that??

The next day we didn't even try to go the beach. We decided to go straight to the pool while the Hughes' went off on a snorkeling expedition. Avi came back with tons of great shells and two hermit crabs! We made them a little temporary home and enjoyed watching them scoot around in their "beach" environment.

"Kick, kick, kick!"

She loved sitting and walking on the ledge around the pool.

More kicking!

The steps were a favorite. Up and down. Up and down.

I do not like floating on my back, Daddy!!

Avi's prisoners.

That night, Sheesa and PapaNui offered to keep Mira while Kenny and I join Kenny, Coco, and Avi for dinner out. We had a wonderful time and a delicious meal at La Paz (Double Yum!) - we'll definitely be making that a tradition! Great burrito, wonderful black bean soup, awesome margarita, and sopapillas to die for!! Absolutely, without a doubt, the best I've ever eaten!

Unfortunately, Mira cried for us the whole time! This is a first with Sheesa (and Elmo movies!) around, so we knew she was still feeling pretty crummy.

Thankfully, Mira had a last bit of fun the next day when we stopped at a mall on the way to the airport. They had a small play area which was just right for her.

Silly mirror!

Through the tunnel!

On top of the slide with Daddy!

Now, with Sheesa!!

At some point (I can't remember which day), Mira enjoyed her first popsicle with Aunt Coco - we didn't see it, but it sounded like she loved them (apparently she polished off most of Aunt Coco's and Avi's!).

Despite the fact that Mira felt so bad the whole time, we still deem it as a success - she loves the beach and we had tons of smiles and laughs! Kenny and I love the beach, and we are looking forward to the days when we don't have to rent a room while we're there - we'll have our own!! So, it's good to know that Mira will be dreaming that dream with us!

We also have a lot to look forward to as far as next year's visit goes. We'll be more careful with those ears, and, hopefully, she'll get to fully enjoy one of her new favorite places!

We can't wait to go back!!

Waterpark!

This past weekend, Kenny and I took Mira to play in the water at our nearby park. We had her all suited up and she played for about 3 minutes before she decided she was done and wanted to "slide" (i.e. go play in the regular park). So, we got her changed into her play clothes and played a bit. She soon decided she wanted to play in the water again. We figured it would be another 3 minutes, but, as you can see, she really liked it the second time!

And after it was all said and done....

Very happy and very wet!

18 Months!

I'd just like to say, "Wow!" - our daughter never ceases to amaze or delight us! Here's a little 18 month report:

• She had her 18 month check-up today and all was perfect - Dr. Crittell called her, "extremely advanced" - that's cool, right?
• She weighed in at 23 pounds, was 30 1/4 inches tall (today was the first time they measured her height rather than length - standing rather than lying down), and had a head circumference of 18 1/2 inches. She's staying pretty close to the 50th percentile still and is wearing 18-24 month in clothes, size 5 shoes, and size 4 diapers.
• I've stopped writing down all the words she says because she says so many new ones everyday. Last I counted, she was well over 200 words. Some of my favorites are: hummus, mustard, milk (she now makes a point to get the "lk" on the end) because she says these so clearly, pronouncing all the letters. I also love that she says "Hi!" appropriately (i.e. when we come to get her out of her crib in the mornings or after nap, to Kenny when he comes home from work, when "talking on the phone," etc.). She's basically to the point of repeating whatever we ask her to say. Of course, she gets stage fright in front of anyone else and clams up! No one knows the chatterbox we have at home!
• She's putting together lots of sentences, too. A week or so ago, she told Kenny, "Momma did that." She was pointing to a painting that I had done. But, I've got to say, my all-time favorite phrase these days is, "I love you!" She hasn't said it on her own yet, but she always says it back after we say it, and it's usually coupled with a nice hug!
• She is really coming around with the whole food thing. She now loves apples and bananas, spaghetti, and most especially, bean and rice burritos! She still loves hummus, jarred fruits, chips and salsa, and above all else, MILK - soy, rice, or almond. She has become more daring with trying new foods, so that's great. She recently tried (and liked) sliced Tofurkey (I know it sounds gross, but it really is good!) and fakin' bacon (again - very tasty!!). She tends to prefer foods with bolder seasonings, such as Pringles new Buffalo Wing flavor! I know it's junk, but, hey - you've got to live a little, right?!
• Kenny and I used to sort of jokingly ask her if she wanted us to "hold her like a baby" while she drank her cup of milk, and we would sit and cradle her the whole time. Now, she requests it! We hand her the cup and she tilts her head way over and says, "daydee?" which, of course, means "Baby." So super-adorable!! Of course, we eat it up!!
• She knows pretty much all of her shapes including crescent, semi-circle, and teardrop. Although, she still gets pentagon and octagon mixed up most of the time. She is now saying the names of the shapes, too, so she can tell us what she sees rather than just pointing to what we ask.
• She also knows a bunch of her letters, and all of the numbers (most of the time). She is saying a lot of these as well.
• Her favorite activities include swinging, bouncing, and sliding. She is working hard on doing a somersault (she has done it all by herself once, but can't seem to remember how she did it) and jumping (she gets one foot off the ground and thinks she's hot stuff!).
• She enjoys being outside, and we try to spend a good chunk of our day there. She is loving her sandbox and points out anything to do with the sand (pails, shovels, etc.) everywhere we go. I gave her some seashells that we had collected on some beach trip. She loves to play with those in the sand, too. I think she'll have a blast collecting her own in Destin!
• She is really good at doing puzzles and her shape sorter. She knows she must turn the pieces to get them in and does it all by herself about 80% of the time.
• She has a new canine tooth poking through right now, so that makes 13 teeth in all. I believe at least one other canine is working it's way through right now, too. She still loves to brush, and we've added toothpaste (the toddler kind, of course) which she loves. She also still likes to floss like Mommy and Daddy (we use the floss picks to actually floss between her teeth)!

 Pardon the hair-do - Mommy likes to play "silly stylist" after bath time!

• We are pretty sure she has an allergy to vinegar. It's in a certain brand of hummus that we buy and in mustard. Both of which she LOVES and both of which turn her skin bright red with small whelps! Doesn't seem to bother her, but we are keeping an eye on the situation.
• She has finally settled in at Gymboree (after only 16 months!) and is now so active while we are there. She used to mostly stand and watch the other kids, sort of "soaking it all in."  Well, now she's one of the ones that can't be corralled for parachute time! She loves to climb and slide!
• She does almost all of the hand motions for Wheels on the Bus and Itsy Bitsy Spider now. Her favorite is, "the baby on the bus goes whaa, whaa, whaa!"
• Her interest in the potty has waned quite a bit, but we still have the occasional success. She mostly likes to read the books these days....while sitting in our laps! We're okay with that though; she's still definitely on the right track.
• She still loves her babies - I think we're up to three now? She also likes to point out real babies when we're out and about and anything to do with babies, such as strollers or carriers. Of course, she'll point to a 3 year old and yell, "Daydee!!"

Combining two of her favorite things - baby doll and the outdoors - couldn't ask for much more!

• She likes to get in her crib and play like she's going to sleep. She'll say, "night, night" and put her head down and snuggle her blanket. Then she pops up and says, "Hi!" Over and over and over and over....
• She has become a little monkey on our living room furniture, making a bridge with her body between the sofa and coffee table.

She does this all day long - sometimes tummy down, but usually tummy up like this.

• She knows a lot of opposites - open/closed, long/short, big/small, etc.
• She just got a new pint-sized table and chair set. She loves sitting in small chairs everywhere we go, so I figured it was time she had her own. We are starting to have snacks there and will do many art projects there, too, I'm sure! We just have to keep an eye on Shatzie - he's just so hungry!

Mmmmmm, Wheat Thins Tuscan Herb Flatbreads...

• She has found one of my old purses and loves to fill it up with trinkets, tote it around, then take everything back out again. One day she had the purse on one shoulder and her baby in the other arm - I wonder where she's seen this??

So BIG! SO CUTE!! She walked around with this load for such a long time!

• She has such a great sense of humor and also recognizes when Kenny and I are being silly. When we make funny faces or say crazy things, she calls us "silsee" (silly). She also calls Shatzie silly when he rolls around crazy on the floor. I'm impressed that she always uses the word appropriately!

Well, I'm sure I'll think of more amazing things that I want to chronicle as soon as I shut the computer down, but it's late, and I better get to bed!

One more pic just because she's so beautiful!

Rocking in the giant rocking chairs at Texas Best (Exit 571)

My Little Picaso!

Starting her first Masterpiece!!

"Cheese!"

Very serious.

Holding her palette.

Really getting into it now!

Super-focused.

She decided to put some final touches on my painting for me.

Just a little more here...

My Masterpiece.  =)

I look forward to years of crafting, painting, experimenting, and learning with this beautiful, talented little girl!!

Mmmmmmm....Taco Bell!

Mira is finally starting to find some "real foods" that she loves (thanks goodness!) - Taco Bell's bean and rice burrito is often at the top these days (other faves include spaghetti, buttered toast, and peanut butter and honey sandwiches)!

Working on the burrito - she insists on holding it herself.

That's what's left of the burrito. And, now, some graham crackers.

Who can pass up cinnamon twists?? I can't believe she's still eating at this point!

After all that, she decided to have a few more bites of burrito! I was shocked at the amount of food she was eating - where did it all fit??!!

Back at home, we went for a little walk to help that big meal settle. I asked her if her tummy was full, and she decided to show me. She raised her shirt and rubbed it and patted it. Yep, it's full!

Splish! Splash!

We decided to try out Mira's new pool (complete with slide and sprinkler) today. I inflated it while she napped and filled it up so it could sit in the sun for a few hours and warm up for our little princess. By the time Kenny got home from work, it was almost luke warm! We did not really use the sprinkler part - maybe later...

She had a blast though! I'm sure we'll be spending many hours in this pool throughout the summer!

Splash, splash, splash!!

Slurp, slurp, slurp!

Testing out the slide.

Not bad.

Playing with her sand bucket.

"Slide!" she said over and over again!

No, Daddy, not that - Slide!

Signing and saying, "more!"

Yep, that's the "more" sign again.

"Slide!"

Splashing and sliding must make her hungry, she started signing and saying,"cookie!" So, we wrapped her up in a towel and gave her an oreo - good times!