H A W A I I

The first week of March we went to the island of Kauai on vacation. To say we had the best time ever would be an understatement! Now I know why everyone goes to Hawaii -- it is not an illusion, it really is the best place! And I say that having been to both Pacific and Atlantic oceans including the Bahamas. Also, Kauai is not like the other islands. There is basically 5 stop lights on the whole island and it is so low key. It's not super busy or really touristy. It wasn't our goal to see all the sights but rather to spend time together as a family.

Many people don't know this but my Dad has been battling a liver disease for the past 3 years. It's complicated, but he needs a liver transplant and in his current condition his quality of life is weak, however, not bad enough to get on the transplant list. This is very, very (can't even express) frustrating to my Dad, and to us. We have tons of questions and very little answers. We are trying to be patient.

He has lived such a beautiful life - I look up to him so much - and has always had a passion for traveling and like to invites us along when we can. So when we were leaving them at Christmas time to come back to Idaho, he whispered (laying in bed), "Let's go to Hawaii". Okay! So we scrounged up some money, budgeted tightly for 2 months, and we were off! If it was up to me, I would have waited till May (to save more money) but I am glad we went and every penny was worth it!

Nephi and I have loved traveling together and have saved our money to go on a few trips - that's just one of the things we like to do together! It's something we want for our future family as well. Every family is different I am learning. We had a few snarky comments from people, "Oh, Hawaii??" or "Oh, are your parents paying for it?" Or people who would say nothing at all when we would tell them (awkward silence). I only say this because I want to remember the reason we went - not to justify anything. We were going to go to Hawaii this year one way or another (it was on our list of goals - we set them and MAKE them) and I am so glad we went!

A few pics from our trip!

Marlo loved the sun and we avoided sunburns with lots of sunscreen. 

Welcome to Hawaii Baby Marlo! 

Best friends. I can't compete. 

The tacos there...yum! 

Went kayaking to a hike that lead up to a waterfall! It wasn't super magical but it was a fun hike!

Thanks Nama for the cute hat and swimsuit! 

I actually got in the water and boogie boarded! That is really saying something. 

My favorite beach day was this day! 

No make-up all week and time with these 2 was amazing. 

This swimsuit and hat is HEART EYES. 

The view from our house.

This resort was right next to our house and their beach front was incredible!

Marlo literally started siting up the day we got there. Miracle!

Aren't Pediatricians the Best?

Poor Marlo got pink eye this week! We were planning on taking her to the doctor on Friday for her 6 month shots but we discovered the pink eye on Wednesday so we moved the appointment up. I was so nervous because Nephi wasn't going to be able to make it because he was working and it was a last minute change in schedule that he didn't plan on. But we met with the doctor and right before the nurse came back for the shots, Nephi walked in (his office in 50 yards away from the pediatricians office)! Whew!

Marlo always surprises me. She got 2 shots this time and cried for like 30 seconds and then stopped and didn't cry about it again the rest of the day! We came home, I gave her a nice bath to relax her leggos and clean off the germs from pink eye, and then she took a good nap. No tylenol necessary! Hoping the rest of her shots go this way...?? So, just some drops for Marlo and her eyes are already looking great. We caught it early and that's what is important. Although, now I think we are dealing with thrush because of the antibiotic...ugh. I'll be calling the nurses line first thing in the AM!

The doctor said she is perfect! He was so impressed by her sitting up and how she held herself when standing. She was 69% for height, and 17% for weight (which is a 12% increase in a months time!). I have to say that having a pediatrician has given me hope for the world in medical care. He has been so wonderful with Marlo and especially with me. He never interrupts me when I'm talking, allows time and makes me feel comfortable to ask a million questions, doesn't roll his eyes at me when I say that "When I googled it, it said...", has given me great advice when it comes to breastfeeding/supplementing, makes Marlo smile, and is always telling me that he is not worried about her and that she is a perfectly healthy baby!

Since Marlo is smaller for her age (you don't have to tell me - but I am sure you will) I have always been worried the doctor would tell me I am not feeding her enough. But considering that fact that she drinks 8 oz bottles and that we are now on full formula and she is still small, he reassures me that she is just perfect. Better yet, he reminds me by telling me that his son is small like that too and that he is perfectly healthy. I mean, really. That's all I need to hear. He has never once pointed out that she is small - it's always been me bringing it up - and that means the world to me. When people are daily telling you how tiny your baby is (and you want to attack Mean Girls style) to have someone tell you that your baby is healthy and perfect (who isn't your Mom) is such a blessing. I am so impressed.

Marlo's bath after her shots - 3/25/15

[Marlo - 6 months]

Our sweet Marlo girl is like no other!

 She has a tiny frame and lips like her Mother. 

She loves to sit up and laugh and play. Cuddling is certainly not her forte. 

She needs to be in the know 24/7. She makes everyone feel special with smiles from heaven. 

She is like kindness wrapped in a blanket. 

It's hard to explain but we know God nailed it. 

And now at 6 months Marlo is growing bigger. She flaps her arms with gusto and vigor!

She grabs anything and everything within her grasp. Blowing bubbles with her mouth is a daily task. 

 She growls and she grunts and she squeels and she cries. 

She is my clockwork baby and hits her grow-spurts almost on the dime. 

She is starting solids and always grabs at the spoon. 

She can hold her own bottle and we are over the moon! 

She has no preference to which parent she favors. She an independent baby and never wavers.