Vacation Schmacation

As we are winding down our week long extravaganza, I am getting very sad to end our time together (it's been much needed), but also excited to get Braden back into a routine.

We have accomplished so many things on this trip, and I am absolutely amazed at how much Braden has changed since we left home. Yes, in a mere week he has started clapping, waving, pulling himself up onto furniture and eating table food. It actually makes me wonder how much he is changing while I'm at work. I guess I'll have to avoid going there--ignorance is bliss, right?!

We have had an amazingly fun trip so far. We started out with two busy days in San Antonio. Braden met all three of his great grandparents on Brett's side, as well as several great aunts and uncles and some distant cousins. As usual, he was a huge hit, and I got pretty emotional leaving knowing that this might be the only time he meets some of them. We left planning to come back as soon as timing will allow.

We then made our way to San Diego. Monday marked a LONG day of traveling for all three of us, as a rainstorm in Dallas kept us delayed for almost 5 hours longer than expected. Thank goodness our little man was on his best behavior-smiling during our entire layover and sleeping on both of our flights. I definitely was anticipating a nightmare when I found out about the delay and was pleasantly surprised by the outcome.

Monday was pretty much shot in the airport, so Tuesday marked our first real day in "sunny" San Diego. Sunny? I guess. Warm? Absolutely NOT! It was windy and cool and according to the locals "this NEVER happens!"I think it was actually warmer in Chicago that day! But we made the best of it with a trip to Coronado Island which was gorgeous, and a trip to the local aquarium and a visit to La Jolla (which, for the record, is amazingly gorgeous). Since Braden's internal clock was telling him that bedtime was at 4:30pm here, we had "dinner" at about 4pm. It made for a very cheap meal considering we went with drinks and appetizers at happy hour, and they were half off before 5! Thanks, little man!

Yesterday was busy, but fantastic. We got up early and left before 8am to head to Anaheim. We drove about 2 hours through some of the most gorgeous scenery I've ever seen to eventually reach our final destination--Disneyland! We figured we were so close that it would be an injustice to NOT take Braden to the "happiest place on earth." I have not gone to Disney since I was around 14, but we had a wonderful time! Disney with your own child is just a whole new experience.

Watching Braden's eyes light up and jaw drop open in amazement was worth every penny we spent there. We got to have breakfast with all of the characters and then walked around the park riding all the "baby friendly" rides we could find. Braden fell asleep on the darker, quieter ones and squealed with delight at the rest. It was an extraordinary experience and I am so glad we decided to go.

On our way back to San Diego we drove through Laguna Beach and Irvine to take in the sights. Again, the views were out of this world! We wish we could uproot our lives in Chicago and take all of our friends and family here! Waking up to this scenery could never get old!

Finally, we made our way to "The Hat", a restaurant like a Portillos for Californians, to meet our friends Chris and Cat for dinner. Great food and great company made for a great end to our night.

Today will be a visit to the zoo and possibly a dip in the pool. We'll see! I'll update again soon!