Mexico: Day 1

We saved our pennies and counted down to this vacation for many months! The kids were most excited to swim and play at the beach. I was most excited for 80 degree weather and no schedule!
The flight is relatively quick being just 3-hours and non-stop. Luke and Emma are easy to travel with and I love their excitement to go through the airport. Myles is getting easier, but I wouldn't say the same of him just yet. :) After checking our bags, Luke exclaimed, "Yes! Security is next! My favorite!" People within ear shot (which happened to be quite a few) got a good laugh. I don't think those words have ever been spoken in sincerity.

Waaaay too many questions following this "enlightening" reading. 

Bryan manned Myles on the way down. We're too big to fit in one row so we divided up this way.  I'd give him a B+.

We were excited to make it to our condo. It was even better than the pictures! Perfect for our two families. We put Myles down for a nap, Bryan finished up some work emails and I took Luke and Emma down to the pool to meet up with McNeils. The pool was beautiful and the kids jumped right in. We stayed for a little while then Kelly and I caught a taxi and headed to the local Walmart and Sam's (right next to each other). It was very convenient. We loaded up our carts, stuffed the trunk full and almost made it back to the correct condo tower. :)

We ended up strolling the pool grounds, upsetting the doorman by taking these carts on his lobby floor and knocking on some poor woman's door to help us find the right 15A. It was hilarious and made for some good memories.

There was some serious hanger from the smiliest one before he had food in his hand.

Bryan and Devin on the balcony trying to spot the alligator or was it a crocodile(?) that Talon (McNeil's 8-year-old) found the day before.

Can you spot him?

After dinner, we headed down to the beach.

We stayed until dark. I was so content. I loved hearing the giggles from the kids as the waves rolled in.

These two were buddies with their seashell bags and chasing each other on the beach.

The cherry on top of the first day was when the fireworks went off close to our balcony. 

Dr. Seuss Day

Emma celebrated Dr. Seuss' Birthday at preschool with "Wacky Wednesday." They could wear their clothes silly and have crazy hair. At first, Emma requested big spikes for her hair. Evaluating my hair products and her length of hair I didn't think this would be feasible. Luckily, she was just as excited about hair do #2.

ENT Visit

We had a regular follow-up with Myles' ENT doctor.  Good news: tubes lasted close to 18 months (usual is 6-9 months) and his hearing is good. Not-so good news: one eardrum is "retracting" and the other eardrum had fluid behind it. We're crossing our fingers we can get through Spring without tubes...but we're already on our 2nd round of antibiotics for an ear infection. This kid! Good thing he is so stinkin' cute.

I love it when the assistant/nurse tells me, "The doctor will be in shortly." Umm....could you please define "shortly" because if it's going to be longer than 2 minutes, I'm going to need a straight jacket for my 2-year-old. :)

Rec Center

We used our Rec Center pass this Winter more than any other year. We were at the pool several evenings a week and occasionally during the daytime. I caught some early morning workout classes with a friend several times a week--always easier with a friend! We loved having this pass and breaking up some long Winter days.

After a few months of requiring Bryan or me to go down the slide with him, Myles braved it and did it on his own...with the occasional "boost" from a loving sibling. :)

Emma also became much more comfortable in the water. I don't think we're quite ready for swim team, but she made great improvements!

Happy Valentine's Day!

We celebrated V-day with our traditional heart-shaped cinnamon rolls for breakfast. I was teaching piano in the morning, so thanks to Bryan for helping out! (Side note: Bryan runs the show most mornings with the kids. On mornings when I'm not teaching lessons, I feel like I'm intruding on his domain!) The kids were both excited to exchange valentine's with friends at school.

Emma has a playdate with Zach every Tuesday afternoon. We rotate between his home and our home. It was a fun afternoon making heart-shaped sugar cookies.

Bryan brought home flowers for both Emma and me. I think Emma won for best reaction. We enjoyed and devoured homemade Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo for dinner. Once the kids were down, Bryan and I watched a really romantic movie like "Sully." Keepin' that romance alive! :)

2-Year Check-Up

Myles had his check-up with Dr. B last week. He had the Dr. wrapped around his finger. I know that I'm prejudiced, but Myles can be quite the charmer when he wants to be (and on the other side quite the terrorist when he's ticked).

His stats:

Height.........36 inches...............92nd %tile
Weight.........29 lb 14.5 oz.........73rd %tile
Head............50.6 cm.................91st %tile

He is growing just fine. :)

Myles' Birthday

We celebrated Myles birthday by starting the day off with pancakes, gifts and lots of excitement. The poor kid was still feeling under the weather. Combine that with busy morning that and he fell asleep before I had a chance to put him in his crib for a nap.

Helpful older sister getting him to look at the camera.

He took a great nap and woke up appearing to feel a lot better. We gambled and decided to load up and head for the rec center to swim. We figured that's what all the chemicals and chlorine are for in the pool, to kill those germs we were bringing, right??? We picked up a pizza on our way and had a fun time swimming as a family. Myles is turning into a little fish. The second he hears "swimming pool" he runs to his room to grab a swim diaper and his swimsuit.

We topped the day off with cake and ice cream at home. Myles was cracking us up because he was having a hard time waiting until his "Happy Birthday" song was over before blowing out the candles.

We love our Myles. He is determined, silly, sweet, and cuddly. He loves trains, pancakes, binkis, his family, garbage trucks, sweets, dogs and being outside--especially the sandbox. He doesn't like changing out of his pajamas (especially Thomas the train PJs) in the morning, turning off a movie before he is ready, and missing out on anything his older sister and brother are doing.

Don't worry, the balloon didn't stay...

Happy Birthday, Myles!!