Lake Quinsigamond

Earlier this week, a bunch of my Mommy friends lugged all of our Littles out to Lake Quinsigamond for an afternoon full of fun in the sun.  The lake is probably less than 2 miles from our apartment and I'm kind of mad at myself for having only gone once this summer.  Hopefully, I can make up for lost time and get a few more lake trips in before the cooler weather starts to creep in.

We were quite the scene with all of our umbrellas, babies, beach bags, and strollers caravanning our way on to the beach and then staking out a spot the size of the lake itself near the teenage lifeguards.  I'm quite certain that we were the definition of "birth control" for those young kids.  All you need to do to keep 18 year olds from having kids is have them watch a bunch of hot sweaty Moms run around attempting to put sunscreen on our kids, keep them from having mouthfuls of sand for lunch,  chase down the tent that almost blew away with a child in it, deal with one meltdown after another, all while trying to make sure our kids don't end up face first in the lake.  I'm certain those lifeguards will now run for the hills at the possibility of getting pregnant.   Just helping to spread the idea of abstinence one lake trip at a time!

I'm not joking, all those things did happen.  But we had a really good time!

Remember the meltdowns I mentioned?

On another note, Ryan has a serious issue with organizing.  Like it's bordering on Obsessive Compulsive!  She loves to line up things and organize and I'm wondering if I should be concerned that my kid is OCD.

Hopefully we can bring Dad back before the summer's up. I know we'd all have so much fun. :)

Ryan's First Vacay

Some people would say that taking a 1 month old on her first vacation is a little crazy.  I mean aren't Moms and their newborns supposed to be cooped up in their homes for months after they are born?  Well, then I guess I've gone a little nutty cause we went home to Bakersfield for a week AND took a trip to the coast.   And as if that's not wild enough for you, I did it by myself!  So I guess you'd better check me into a mental institution. :)

1 Month Old: August 3, 2013

Since Josh has been so busy studying for his Step II, I decided to take the opportunity to go to Pismo Beach with his family.  Having family to help out with Ryan is ALWAYS wonderful, but I was definitely nervous about driving the 3 hours home to Bakersfield, alone, with a one month old.  But, I shouldn't have been scared.  My angel baby slept the entire way home.  She really makes things a little too easy.  I'm guessing my next child is going to be quite the handful to make up for how easy Ryan is.

We spent the first couple of days at my parent's home so that I could get my hair done (amazing) and go to a dentist appointment (not nearly as amazing).  And Ryan got to meet lots more of her family including her Great Grandma Gerrie and her Great Grandma Scurlock!

Great Grandma Scurlock

She also got to meet Papa B!

And of course, she spent a little time with Grandpa Fairman too.

After three days at home in Bakersfield, we headed to the coast with Josh's family.  Ryan got to meet her three boy cousins, Jacob, Cole, and Caleb.  Jake was especially smitten with "Baby Ryan."  He was very concerned with which blanket she used, whether her pacifier was in or out, and why she doesn't have any teeth.  Three year olds are too funny. :)  He couldn't get enough of her!

She also got to meet her youngest Uncle!  Uncle Andrew wasn't quite as enamored with her as cousin Jake, but for a 13 year old boy, he was great with her.

Ryan enjoyed her first of what will most likely be many many trips to Pismo Beach.  And I successfully (with the help of Auntie Kristin) nursed in public.  On the beach.  In the sand. Winning!

All bundled up for the drive home from the beach.

We had a great trip but it was nice to come back to Redlands after a week away.  Needless to say, Daddy was very happy to see Ryan and vice versa. 


They had to catch up on a weeks worth of snuggles.

So, we survived our first vacation with a baby.  Hopefully, Josh can join us on the next one! 

Where have we been?

Well,  between bachelorette parties in Vegas, weddings in Southern CA, Step I taking, Pismo beach vacays with the family, apartment hunting in Redlands, and packing to move, we've been a little bit busy.  And by a little, I really mean a lot!

Unfortunately, in the midst of real life, my blogging has fallen by the wayside.  For some reason, I just seem to have less time on my hands than when I lived on a 22 mile long island in the middle of the Caribbean.  Go figure.  But I haven't forgotten about my island...go Kirani James!!

So, let's catch you up on what's been going on this past month.

I traveled to Las Vegas with Julie for her bachelorette party in early July.  We had such a blast!

Team Bride!

The next week, we left for Camarillo so Josh could take his USMLE.  We also attended our friends Riley and Gabby's wedding in Malibu, CA.  We hadn't seen Josh's Whittier friends since our wedding two years ago!

Some of the Whittier Boys.

Whittier crew with Gabby and Riley!


Then we headed back to Camarillo for Julie and Kevin's rehearsal and wedding!

Julie and Kevin's Rehearsal

With the bride!

Photobooth fun with my love!

After a long weekend of wedding shenanigans, we headed back to Bakersfield where we quickly found out that we had been placed in Colton, CA for Josh's clinical rotations!  There wasn't much time to look for apartments because we were scheduled to head to Pismo Beach with some of Josh's family.

It was a wild five days with our three nephews and the rest of the fam.  But we had so much fun enjoying the sun, bike riding, boogie boarding, and eating our fill of Splash Cafe and frozen yogurt.

First trip to Splash of the trip.

View from our beach house porch.

Football with Cole.

Time for boogie boarding

And bike riding

The Whole Family!

Pelican on the pier.

Sisters-in-law.

Once back from our trip to the beach, we didn't waste any time before heading down to Redlands to look for a place to live.

And guess what?!? We found one. Yay!  We move next Saturday.

And we are so excited! I can't wait to use all of our wedding gifts that have been in storage for two years and be able to get in our own routine.  And! Possibly get a dog!!!

This next will be super busy as we prepare to move...again.  But we can't wait! Prayers that everything goes smoothly are always appreciated!!