OBX Holiday : Corolla, NC {day 1}

To say I was nervous about our five hour drive to the Outer Banks was an understatement. Annabelle is not too keen on car drives and five hours was a long time for us to sit in the car, let alone a little toddler... A toddler full of a ton of energy! 

Expecting the worst but hoping for the best, we did pretty well.   We left early in the morning once she awoke. It was Mother's Day, so when I got up with Annabelle, the hubby had already walked the dog and bought us breakfast before our drive. We were probably 1-1.5 hrs in when Annabelle finally fell asleep for her nap. She slept for almost 2 hours which is huge and was up for the last hour. I nursed her, fed her snacks, had toys for her, and luckily also had a portable DVD player. The combo of all those things helped us survive. 

When we arrived, I had the Hubby drop us off at the community playground. He couldn't drive in and park bc we didn't have the code, but that was ok bc Annabelle and I just walked to it. This also helped as she was near her breaking point. Having time to swing and play on the playground made her very happy. 

After we unpacked, we went to go eat. We stopped at Sundog Bar and Grill! 

I had the most amazing Oyster Po' Boy ... Seriously, of all the Po' boys I have eaten... From LA, New Orleans, and Florida... This Po' Boy was hands down theeeee best I've ever eaten! 

Here's a picture of the house we stayed at. It's on Buck island in the northern part of OBX. The house is named "green dolphin" ��

This is the playground Annabelle got to frequent ... So perfect for a toddler her age! 

And a few photos of us to celebrate mother's day! 

There was so much space to run around, Annabelle actually cut her lip on her new incisor several times... Po' baby's first cut lip! 

Our first day was so much fun and we hadn't even been to the pool or beach yet!!!

Trip to New Jersey

We took a very short trip to NJ this past weekend to visit my in-laws. Because we have to drive, we have to time it right so that Annabelle doesn't meltdown in the car... since she HATES the car (trains and planes are A-ok, but Cars is her kryptonite)...

Here are a few photos from the weekend

Annabelle looking cool in her shades

This was taken right after she climbed onto and fell off of her Pop Pop's dining chair, fell down one bottom step onto her face and right before she belly flopped off this chair!

Loving the swings

Playing in the mulch

Mommy, what is this stuff?

She did not pee herself, she poured bubbles down the front of her shirt and pants... HAHA

The lighting in the guest room is so nice, i can actually photograph our angel sleeping

Our ride home was wonderful, she actually slept for over an hour!!!

Because our visits are becoming harder to do, we are going to aim for longer visits even if it means less actual trips up... that way Annabelle can have some more time with her cousins and Aunt/Uncle and grandparents in NJ :)

California trip April

So Annabelle and I headed to California for the baby shower that I mentioned in the previous post about the Twins' Baby Shower.

We are fortunate that my jet setting brother has a lot of miles b/c he was able to book us first class tickets to California.  And luckier for us, he was able to join us near the beginning of our adventure to help me travel with Annabelle. 

Our trip to California was full of fun and great memories, but we also had a few meltdowns and struggles.  Luckily for us, we live in a place with great public transportation because Annabelle does not seem cut out for California living due to urban sprawl and the constant being in the car to do anything.

Here are some photos from our trip :)

Waiting to leave DCA

Here is Annabelle with her Samchon (Uncle)... he was reading to her while we waited to take off.

Annabelle giving an overly affectionate couple (who were swapping spit at the baggage claim) the stink eye

Annabelle chowing down on Grandma's Kimchi (she's definitely korean!)

She loves those sink baths

Enjoying what will probably be one of her last sink baths at Grandparent's house.

Playing with her Cousin Eric Opa... she adores him

Playing with her cousin Nani Unni... at the very spot that her father and I said "I do" only a little over 3 years ago.

giving night time kisses to her grandpa and grandma

Playing with the grandparents before bed

A seemingly innocent photo of Annabelle... but who knows what her mind was thinking!

her scrunchy face

Playing with her Aunt's water bottle

Another seemingly innocent photo, but you know she's plotting to throw all her food everywhere...

Eating more Kimchi!

Facetiming with daddy!

Starting in the upper left going clockwise and ending with the photo in the middle... yes, Annabelle is pooping in the fridge... Hilarious!

At the park with her grandparents...

giving kisses to her grandpa

hanging out with her Great Aunt

With her Great Uncle and Great Aunt after dinner

Getting ready to fly back home... spending time with her Samchon

Sitting first class ain't too shabby!

The flight attendant brought her an empty water bottle with straws to play with. he was pretty awesome.  He let her run the jetway while we waited to take off and even let her say hi to the pilots!

We miss our family... probably the one greatest thing about california is that our family is everywhere... she would be constantly surrounded by cousins and extended family all the time. She adores them... but sadly, we won't be heading back any time soon for more than a visit. That being said, our visits home are even that much more special b/c of the distance... We had a great time and can't wait to return... and this time, there will be two new members of the family to greet!

Twins baby shower

So the big family news is we are expecting Twins!!!

No NO NO NO.... not me, but my brother and Sister In law are expecting twins this summer!!!  So Annabelle and I headed out to California to help celebrate the impending arrival of her new cousins with a baby shower for my brother and sister in law.

It's pretty hard to plan and organize a shower with a toddler... but luckily my sil was very understanding and helped with much of the planning. And more luckily, i have younger cousins in the area who came down to spend the afternoon with Annabelle and help with a few things for the shower the day before too. 

Here are some photos of the shower... I didn't get to take too many... b/c seeing as I had a toddler permanently attached to me (but for 20 minutes- no joke)... I couldn't take any photos with my camera :( total party fail!!!

This cake is made by the same gal who did my engagement party cake, wedding cake, and Annabelle's 1st birthday cake... she's simply amazing. Her designs are beautiful but her cake tastes like heaven... i mean seriously, delish... This cake was half chocolate cake with bavarian cream and bananas and the other half was white cake with strawberry filling! (Email her if you want delicious cake for a beyond reasonable price and you live in So Cal)

Delicious Cake by Liz Lomeli

A photo of my cousin with our aunt and uncle!

Annabelle playing with her cousin... she adores him!

Two of my cousins!

Annabelle sitting on the table

The few moments she wasn't attached to me... playing with my mom!

My mom adores her!

With my Sil ... doesn't she look great? And two of my neice(s)/nephew(s) are in there!!!

A photo of an old family friend whom I had not seen in over a decade... Annabelle loved him!

It was a great time and hopefully my brother and sil had a fun time. A lot of family and friends from both sides were mixed in this wonderful event, so it was definitely a mixing of social circles. We can't wait for our new family members to join us!!! Stay tuned - i'll definitely be blogging about them :)