Multnomah Falls

We woke up Thursday morning and headed out to see some sights.  I honestly had NO idea where we were going...I was along for the ride.  We arrived at the first place (I don't even know where that was...that's awful), but the weather was not cooperative.  We were up on a mountain....trying to look at some waterfalls...I think, but all we could see grey clouds.

**I decided to call and ask where we were...ya know...for posterity.**

We were at Crown Point, but we only saw the parking lot.  After looking up some pictures on-line, I wish the weather would have been more cooperative.  Oh well....that means there needs to be a "next time".

Next, we headed to Multnomah Falls.  I, again, had NO idea where we were going, or what I should expect.  When we walked up to the falls, I was not disappointed.  It was beautiful.  Doug said the falls were not running fast, like they do in the Spring.  We walked up the path to the bridge level too.

When we were done there, we got back in the car(s) and drove to a salmon hatchery.  It was a fun place to visit.  It will be much better when Blip is old enough to run around and have fun with the other boys.  

We found a pizza place for lunch...and Blip was spoiled by Aunt Robyn once again.  Blip got to gnaw on some pizza crust...and he was soooo happy.  I doubt he ingested much, but he rubbed that crust on his sore gums and loved it.  I guess it's time to move forward with foods for the baby.  He is going to be six months soon.  ugh.

After lunch, Doug took the boys home to play and run wild.  The girls (and Blip) all headed to one of the many outlet malls.  We didn't have a lot of time shopping, but we had a great time together.  The traffic in Portland is a little nuts.  On a bad day, it takes hours and hours to get from the outlets to Kristi and Doug's house.  On a good day, it takes under an hour.  Yikes!

We ate the most delicious homemade Mexican food for dinner.  I would weigh about 800 pounds if I was married to Doug.  He is incredible with the food.  I'm happy on the days my recipes turn out like they should.  Well...these days I'm happy when I go grocery shopping and have the food to make one of the many recipes I should be using.  Anywho...Doug cooked several things for us, and they were all amazing. Yum!

Doug made a fire outside for the boys.  Richelle and I fed the baby some green beans and squash for dinner.  He seems to like the squash a lot better than the green beans.  He also seems to have NO idea what we are doing and why we are doing it until about half way through the food.  At about the half way mark, he seems to really enjoy eating.

Luckily, I am the baby holder and Richelle (my own personal feeding therapist...no joke) is the feeder.  She does it much better than me.  Having a high chair (or any chair) at home is much better.

Then it was bath time.  It was Blip's first bath without any baby bathtub.  I was alone, so I didn't get any pictures.  It was, however, one of the cutest things I've seen from Blip thus far.  With an inch or two of water in the tub, I put Blip on his back. He immediately started laughing...and kicking so much he was covering himself in splashed water.  I was covered too.  He loved it.  I think the baby bathtub may be a thing of the past at our house. 

One of Blip's bottom teeth finally broke through too.  He's been working on getting his bottom teeth for weeks!  I was so happy one of those little painful suckers finally broke through.  The second one wasn't far behind and poked through within the next couple of days.

After a long, fun-filled day, we all headed to bed so we could wake up early and head to Seattle for the day.

A Flight to Remember

A few years ago Richelle decided the years with all three of her boys at home were passing too quickly.  She decided she would begin a summer tradition of taking her boys on a road trip to a different part of the country...and she wanted to take these trips with Grumpaw and Nana.


Two years ago they all loaded up and headed to Northern California...the Redwoods, San Francisco (where my dad spent his teenage years), the other side of the bay (where Uncle Eric lives), Sacramento (where Ryan lives), and a few other places I can't remember, I'm sure.  Last year, we all headed to Yellowstone and the Snake River.


The plan for this year was to head to the South...where Carlys grew up.  Unfortunately, that plan fell through when my parents decided to go on a mission for the church this year.  Richelle was pretty devastated...and completely unsure what to do with her boys.  We talked about several different plans, but we agreed going to the South without Nana Carlys was pointless (since the intention was to learn more about her life).


Robyn's sister-in-law Kristi (who is married to Bill's brother Doug) flew in for Sydney's shower...which gave us a good opportunity to finally get to know her.  We fell in love immediately.  I think that's when we started talking about wanting to visit her and her family in Oregon. (They actually live in Washington, but it's basically Portland.)  When Kristi came back for the wedding with Doug and their two boys, we spent a good amount of time with them and talked more about wanting to head to the Pacific Northwest.  I'm pretty sure that's when Richelle decided she would make THAT her summer road trip.


I was excited for her, but sad I have pretty much NO time off left thanks to bed rest.  Honestly, working full time really puts a damper on the all the fun stuff I want to do (read: EVERYTHING). The more and more Richelle planned her trip, the more and more I was depressed about her trip.  It sounded so fun!  And Robyn was going to take a few days off to be there too!  Every time she mentioned it I wanted to quit. (Okay...not really, but you get the idea.)


The first week of July I got a surprise...maybe the best surprise EVER.  Kristi and Robyn both travel (way too much) for their jobs.  The one benefit of the travel is the hotel/airline points they accrue.  Kristi offered to use her points to get a ticket for me (and Blip) to get to Portland.  And Robyn offered used her points to get us home.  I was super excited, but felt bad about them both using so many points for me.  


That didn't last long...the excitement of the trip took over!!  Mike was not thrilled I wanted to take Blip away for five days...and to Canada.  But he agreed, so I started working on getting ready for the trip.  


I read and read and read about Blip needing a passport (at least the passport card).  So Mike and I made arrangements to meet downtown at the Clerk of Court office to get the baby a passport card.  We both had to be present...which was a pain, but we made it work.  I got the pictures we needed, filled everything out, paid the money, and Blip's passport was ordered and on its way.


I wanted to figure out a way to send the carseat with Richelle so I could use the stroller at the airport and then gate check it.  Our stroller is huge (and really $$$), so I wasn't sure I wanted it to be tossed into the belly of a plane. And I couldn't send Blip's car seat with Richelle and then have no carseat for a week.  

I have had a gently used carseat/stroller combo in the garage for at least a year. It was given to us, but we ended up buying something else, but that stroller/carseat combo was still just hanging around.  I have tried to sell it on Craiglist, but nobody wants it...not even for a few bucks. Ugh.


I brought it inside one night and spent about two hours washing everything. It was dirty from being used and even filthier after sitting in the garage for so long.  I got it all cleaned up and ready to go, but when I tried to attach the car seat to the stroller, it wouldn't attach.  I tried to look up that stroller/car seat on-line, but I couldn't find that exact one.  I tried calling the 1-800 number, but that didn't work either.  I sent an e-mail too....but that did not even help a little.  I also went to both Target and Walmart to see if I could find something similar to see what piece I was missing.  I couldn't find anything like it.  I don't think they make it that way anymore.


After washing the fabric cover on the car seat, I'm not sure how any child would sit in that seat comfortably.  There was absolutely NO padding...except that thin material covering the plastic.  I never looked at that brand of car seat closely, but I'm not surprised I couldn't find it on-line or at any store.

So I found a "cheap" used Graco stroller/car seat combo that someone at work was selling.  It was pretty much brand new....it was exactly what I was looking for.  I got it all washed and cleaned up in no time.


I sent a box with Richelle of stuff the baby would need (diapers, formula, toys, etc).  I also sent the a car seat and a small suitcase with all of our bathroom stuff (liquids).  After doing that, I only had to get our clothes packed and a few miscellaneous things I couldn't send ahead.  


The weekend before we were supposed to leave, Blip's passport card still was not here. Crap.  On-line it said it would be here a few days after we left. Crap.  I called the customer service number to ask what I should do (since I was too cheap to pay another $70 to have it rushed and now I am totally screwed!!).  The lady was helpful and told me two things:  1) Blip's passport was coming from Tucson, so it would most likely be in our mailbox prior to the date listed on-line...and 2) Because Blip was under 16 he doesn't need a passport to travel to Canada.  Just his birth certificate. What!?  She even walked me through a website (one I had already read and re-read) and showed me where it said he only needed a birth certificate.


I was unhappy about the time and money we wasted, but happy that our trip would be fine.  Richelle also paid for three passport cards for her kids...and Kristi did the same (and paid the rushing fees too, I think).  That part sucked.  Oh well...live and learn.


On Wednesday, Rob took us to the airport.  I had Lori (Blip's Tuesday/Wednesday sitter and someday preschool teacher) put Blip down for a nap when he got there so he would be up and ready to go when we needed to leave.  Plus, that made the timing good for a nap on the plane after eating during take off.


Rob parked and walked us in.  He waited until we were passed security before leaving me 100% on my own.  I was a little nervous, but I knew I was mostly anxious about the unknowns of flying with a baby.  I was a little worried about what to do if I had to use the bathroom.  I forgot to worry about what to do if Blip did his usual #2 at his usual time...in the middle of the flight.


I got us to the gate with only a few minutes to spare.  I gate checked the stroller, so after leaving it on the jetway (folding all that crap one-handed is a good talent to have) it was just me, Blip, my backpack and the diaper bag.  I made sure to have everything I would definitely need in the diaper bag under the seat in front of me, so it was easily accessible.


After I sat in my aisle seat near the back of the plane, one of the flight attendants told me I could move back one row so I could have my aisle seat and an open middle seat.  That made everything so much better.  The man sitting in the window seat was not in love with us, but whatever...he ended up being nice, but not thrilled with us.


My perfect baby decided that while we waited on the HOT plane for everyone to sit down he would fuss.  He NEVER fusses.  Ever.  There was a nine month old across the aisle from us.  She just sat and looked at Blip like he was nuts.  It was my fault, of course.  He needed to eat and sleep....but I was holding him off.  I knew it would be better for everyone if he started eating at take off...then sleeping for as long as possible.


My plan worked.  As soon as he had his bottle, life was good again.  He ate and slept in my arms for about an hour.  When he woke up, we watched Rio on he iPad for about 30 minutes.  Then he needed his dirty pants changed. I felt myself panic at the thought of changing his poopy pants with the grouch sitting in the window seat.  I turned around to see if there was somewhere in the back of the plane I could change him...as I turned I saw a picture of a changing table on one of the bathroom doors. Whew.


I changed his pants and then let him kick his legs for a few minutes.  I laid out a blanket on the empty seat next to us and let him play, kick his legs and try to eat his toes.  He did that happily until it was getting to be time to land.  I quickly made him a bottle...and he was happy during the rest of our time on the plane.


I was glad I was prepared for just about anything.  It made everything so much less stressful for me.  I wish I had read Alaska Airlines' website about traveling with infants prior to sending everything with Richelle, but it ended up working out just fine.  I also wish I would have had my Ergo carrier with me on the plane.  It was hard to juggle a baby, backpack and diaper bag...but we made it and it wasn't too bad at all.


Richelle and Kristi picked me up from the airport and we headed across the beautiful Columbia River to their gorgeous house in Washington State.  Kristi and Doug live on 5 acres of pure bliss...complete with a large pond with Koi fish, a playground, chickens, several gardens, flowers, trees, a place for a fire, a two-story workshop, and more that I'm sure I am forgetting.  I could have stayed there forever.   I would love for Blip to grow up somewhere like that, but maybe we can retire somewhere in that area instead.


It was a good start to a nice, long weekend.

5 Months Old

My sweet baby boy turned five months old while we were in San Diego.  I waited until we got home to take his pictures.  I made sure Mike was home and that Blip was well rested, but he still wasn't quite himself.  I think the previous day of long travels was not our friend for the picture taking.

Our little miracle is getting bigger and bigger.  He is quickly outgrowing his 3-6 month size clothes.  He still fits is some of them, but I have been washing the next size.  Most of what we took on vacation was either 6-9 or 6-12 months.  He outgrew his jammies first...he is too long for them.

Blip is now wearing size 3 diapers.  His thighs are delightfully chunky...and we love them.  His elbows have dimples, and his cheeks are super kissable.

I would like to be writing about how much Blip rolls over and over, but he does not.  He rolls from his back to his tummy still, but he refuses to go the other direction.  When he does roll onto his tummy, he instantly fusses.  We think with all the reflux issues that it must hurt his tummy when he puts all that pressure on it.  He has stopped a lot of the rolling altogether.

At about 4 months 2 weeks, I gave in and started Blip on Oatmeal.  It lasted a few days before the tears started.  We quit that crap altogether.  He doesn't seem to need more food...and he certainly is not interested in eating solids yet, so we will wait until he is.  He is clearly getting enough calories and does not need to start solids until he's at least six months.  I probably won't even go back to the oatmeal crap...we'll just move onto something with nutritional value.

Blip doesn't mind spending time in his high chair. It is helpful to have another place I can safely stow him if/when I need to.

The last month flew by. I can't believe how quickly the days pass.  While we were at the beach last week I noticed the baby's hair growing in a little thicker.  The new hair seems to be very light...close to white.  It seems the blond hair is trying to overtake his auburn hair for now.  Both Mike and I were towheads, so we assumed our baby would be too.  I was thrilled with his auburn hair, but I can hope that once his blond is gone the auburn will return...like mine did.

We are surely blessed.  We were not only given the opportunity to become parents, but we were truly blessed with the best baby ever.  He is so happy...so content.  He sleeps like a champ and rarely fusses.  If he is fussy...he either needs his pants changed, or he needs to eat.  He is nearly holding his own bottle, but not quite.  He does get excited when he sees the bottle of "milkies" coming...and he opens his mouth and leans his body towards it leading with his mouth.  It is so funny to watch.

I love every second I get to spend with my son.  I hate leaving him everyday, but I know he is in good hands.  Mike loves to be home with him for the first half of the day.  They seem to have a good time together each workday. 

I am so thankful for my sweet little Blip.  He brings me joy I didn't know was possible.  Life feels so much more complete with him here.  I love every little thing about him so much.  As I rock him at night, I try to memorize his perfection.  His little ears...the right one is bendy.  His hair is a bit crazy...still a little reddish, but lots of blond growing.  His nose is the perfect shape for his face...and his bottom lip pouts out when he falls asleep.  

His cheeks are full, and he has the softest skin.  As he gets sleepy, Blip rubs his head.  He usually ends up scratching himself, but it seems to soothe him.  Likewise, when I softly rub his head, you can watch his face relax as he is soothed.  His tiny fingers hold my fingers most nights, but lately he's been getting two big handfuls of my shirt and holding on for dear life.  

When he's awake, his deep blue eyes are so full of life.  His eyes are so expressive.  He loves to watch what's going on around him.  He is so interested in what everyone is doing.  When I walk in the door from work, Blip pouts, acts mad, and he refuses to look at me.  It takes him a little while to forgive me and look at me.  It hurt me at first, but I've seen him do it to Mike too, so the sting is slightly less.  He makes eye contact with me while I rock him to sleep or just sit on the couch and feed him. He seems to get over me leaving him all day pretty quickly...and we enjoy the few hours we get together.

I know how lucky we are to have been blessed with this miracle. 

I know I've said it before, but I just ache for those still struggling through the depths of hell that is infertility.  Unless you've experienced that awful place yourself, you will never be able to know the heartache that accompanies the journey.    Fertile people really have no idea how awful it is.  They want a baby...and POOF!  They have a baby.  It makes me laugh when fertiles are just beside themselves because they didn't get pregnant on the first or second try.  It's a teensy glimpse into our nightmare.

It almost hurts us Infertiles to see how quickly it can happen...and how cheap it is! No struggle.  No emotional suffering.  No needles.  No loans.  No physical pain.  No back and forth to appointment after appointment.  Just sex and pregnancy and baby.  It seems unreal that it actually works this way for some.

Infertility seems like it is never-ending. We already struggle knowing that in the next year we will willing leave this happy place away from infertility and venture back into it.  We know our family is not yet complete...Blip has a brother or a sister waiting to join our little family.  I just know it.  I will be so relieved when we will forever be done with infertility.  When something related to this topic is on our terms...finally.  

I will be forever grateful when those I love are no longer struggling to make it to the other side...holding their own child and on this side of infertility.

First Family Vacation

Last summer Mike and I put a deposit down on a beach house in Imperial Beach (San Diego) for a one week stay. I was newly pregnant...and completely unaware I would be on bed rest the entire time.  And although I was off work for those months, I was (and still am) ready for an actual vacation...with no chance of harming my unborn child and having no need for a wheelchair.

As July got closer and closer...I was getting more and more excited to get out of this heat and this house!  I had very low expectations for our vacation.  I only expected a stress free week with no work, some sun and some snuggle time with both of my boys.  I didn't expect the vacation would be bad, but we were traveling with a five month old.  I honestly just wanted to be out of the heat spending time with my little family.  We talked about going to Sea World or the zoo, but in the end I really didn't want Blip getting that much sun.  He is SO white.

The time finally came, so we packed the Yukon and were headed out of town by 9am on Saturday morning.  We stopped in Gila Bend to let Blip stretch his legs.  We stopped again in Yuma for another stretch and to get gas.  I fed Blip along the way...in between his giggles and naps.  We finally made it to the beach house...and Richelle's family was there waiting to help us unload.  They rented the beach house across the street from ours.  I loved every second of living next-door to my bestie!

We spent the afternoon unpacking and moving into the "beach hut".  We all went for a walk...we needed to pay Suzanne and get our second key...plus we stopped off to order a pizza.  The largest pizza I've ever seen.

After dinner, Richelle and I went to the grocery store...to be honest, all the details of our week are already a bit fuzzy.  We didn't have internet (my only real complaint), so I wasn't able to keep up during the week.  And my brain just plain sucks.

Blah, blah, blah...Saturday night the boys and Mike stayed up late waiting for the Grunions.  They never came, but I think they had fun running around on the beach with their flashlights...Mike even had a headlamp. (love him!)

Sunday we spent the day in our swimming suits.  I spent the day reading on one of the two porches while Blip played or napped.  Mike was back and forth between the house and the pier.  Anthony's sister Marie came to spend some time with one of her daughters and her husband.  They are always fun to hang out with.

We did take the baby down to the water for a few minutes.  We stuck his tiny feet in the freezing water and he didn't even make a noise.  His expression didn't even change.  He didn't care one way or the other.  Typical, content Blip.  After a few minutes, we went back up to the house.

One evening, we went to Target.  We needed a pot big enough to make a few of the meals we planned, and we needed a copy of Rio.  We didn't bring our copy and Blip was BORED without his feathered friends day after day.  Richelle and I also needed slippers.  I found two pairs of funky (for us) colored slippers...they made the whole trip better.  

Mike and I took Blip to Seaport Village to get out of the house one afternoon.  We enjoyed the beautiful weather and just meandered around for a while.

Blip and I took a walk out to the Pier to find the boys...who were all fishing.  The baby LOVED the sounds and the cool breeze.  He loved to be outside looking around.  I'm sure he wishes we lived in nice weather, so we could be outside more often.  

Richelle and I took a trip to the outlet mall.  We found some great deals at the Coach Factory Store, Ann Taylor, New York & Co Outlet (!!!), and a few others too.  It was a nice break from all the boys back at the beach.  We ended up back at the outlets a second time with the majority of the boys tagging along.  We had a good time shopping and made sure to make all the correct turns so we didn't end up in Mexico!

I got sunburned on my shoulders the first day or two.  My shoulders stayed hot pink the ENTIRE week, so I did my best to stay out of the sun as much as possible. I spent the majority of my time watching the baby and reading a couple books.  I was perfectly content to do so.

Mike, on the other hand, was not so in love with all of that.  He doesn't enjoy reading as much as I do...and he gets very bored very quickly.  It's probably our biggest difference.  I am so happy and perfectly content to sit still and read...for days.  He hates that I do it at all.  Mike likes to be constantly going, going, going.  I enjoy the break from all that.  Mike told me he thinks his expectation of a vacation with our five month old were much too high, but I think we still really enjoyed ourselves as a family of three.

Before we knew it, it was time to pack up and head back to reality.  We caravanned with Richelle's family back to the heat Saturday afternoon.  

Blip was an awesome traveler!  He was so good in the car both ways.  We let him get out a stretch his legs a couple of times, kept him fed and he napped off and on.  While we were at the beach, he slept just as perfect as he does at home.  We put him down between 7:45-8:15 most nights...and he slept until at least 8am everyday.  Some days he slept later.  We kept his pack-n-play in small storage space just off the kitchen.  Which meant he was pretty much still in the living area with us.  He slept right through everything going on around him.

We brought a few toys, a doorway jumper and his travel swing with us.  He was perfectly content most of the time...just like normal.  I can't wait for more family vacation with my little family.

(boring) July 4th

This year we didn't really celebrate the 4th of July.  Mike worked and I ran errands preparing for our upcoming vacation.


I am finally leaving the state with NO wheelchair and NOT pregnant!


Today was, honestly, a crappy day.  But we survived...and I got to spend many hours with Blip, so that really made the day worth it.  I still love getting to wake up to his laughter and smiles...especially since it's usually not until close to 9am.


Today started close to 9:30am.  I changed his pants while Mike made a bottle.  Blip ate and played and watched Rio with us...he is loving is ability to bounce now that he's big enough for the exersaucer.

He went down for his morning nap around 10:45, so I paid bills while Mike took a nap before work.  He was up very early to buy our new (to us) hot tub!  We've been wanting one since forever...and Mike has been looking and looking on Craigslist for a "cheap" hot tub in great condition.  He finally found what he was looking for.  He had it moved into our backyard first thing this morning!  Now we just need the electrical work done so we can plug it in and go hot tubbing.  I can't wait to use it!


My "Mother's Day" gift also arrive this week.  Mike ordered shutters for the kitchen, eating area and family room for us around Mother's Day.  I ordered shutters for our bedroom last summer/fall and wanted to slowly add them room by room to the rest of the house.  Mike surprised me and ordered these ones sooner than I thought we would.  I absolutely LOVE them.  They make such a huge difference!  

I am super anxious to get the living room, dining room and entry done now too!  It may be a slower process to get those ordered and installed.  We may have to do the lower half first...leaving the upper windows coverless for a bit longer.  I really think covering them will help our APS bill drastically.  The sun is ALWAYS coming through those windows.  They are all on the south side of the house...coming down the stairs can feel like walking into an inferno.  The space is so tall and open that it must be killing our a/c units to try an keep the space cool.


I digress...


After Mike left for work, Blip and I ran some errands.  I had to return something to the Gymboree Outlet, so we picked up Richelle and Jake to tag along.  I dropped them off at the Nike outlet and made my way to Gymboree.  I returned three things and bought three things.  Almost an even trade. I was proud of myself...they are having a HUGE sale.  Their clothes are super cute and they wash/wear really well.  If you buy them right, you can spend less than you would on Walmart clothes.  I have never paid even close full price for anything...and his entire wardrobe (except jammies & a few onsies) is Gymboree.  (It's my little secret.  Or my obsession...I am buying ahead...that way I can keep on my hunt for the pieces to different outfits as they are marked down. Sssh....don't tell!)

On our way back to the car, I stopped at the Le Creuset Outlet.  I really (REALLY) want a cast iron pot.  I thought the outlet would be the perfect place to find myself one.  Uh...at $200+ for one dutch oven...I decided I'd keep using our worn out Costco pans. Maybe someday, but I'm way too cheap to buy myself that pot.


We made it back to the car and drove back to the Nike outlet.  When Richelle and Jake never came out (NEVER)...I got in the back seat to get Blip out of his seat.  He needed to stretch, have his diaper changed and he needed to eat.  By the time those two came back to the car, he needed his pants changed again...and then he needed his entire outfit changed.  I don't know why he only likes to have a blowout when Dad is at work...and I'm out with Richelle.  He is more than welcome to spread out the poop love, tho.

Once Blip was changed (and Richelle and Jake found a snack) we were on our way to finish our errands. About half-way to Khol's, Richelle got a phone call inviting her family to a BBQ/swim/fireworks party, so she needed to get home.  Luckily, I was able to still run into Khol's to make my return and pick up a pair of jeans.  I just bought a pair, but need the next size smaller before we leave town.  That's happy.


I drove Richelle and Jake home...then headed back to the same shopping center to finish what I needed to do.  I made a return at Target and then picked up a few things for Mike.  We hurried into Marshall's to make a return (and to see if the had a cast iron pot lying around for a reasonable price).  Once we were done there, it was time to go home (with no new pots).


I stopped off to pick up something to eat.  I was hoping to have dinner with Mike, but his squad was too busy for him to take a break at all.  I called in and ordered Mexican food from Top Shelf...and while I waited, I fed the baby again.  He is such a trooper.  He never cries or complains...as long as he gets a dry diaper and food, he's up for anything.  I love how content he always is...I hope it's not just when he's with me!


We made it home, Blip played on the floor while I forced myself to eat expensive, but gross Mexican food.  We giggled together for a while.  Blip got his bath, story, music and more milkies...and I got to rock him to sleep (in his bigger 6-9 month jammies).  I love my baby boy more than words can express. He brings so much joy to my life...I can't imagine how I made it so many years without him here.

Next July will be much more eventful for us.  We will be getting ready to go on our big Rodgers Family Vacation for my dad's 70th birthday!  I can't wait to be on our way to paradise with my fabulous family.  I can't wait to see Blip toddling around on the beautiful beaches in Hawaii...and I can't wait to experience Pearl Harbor with my dad.  This last year has come and gone so quickly...as much as I want time to slow down, I can't wait for next July.