Kai's first Halloween

Kai had her first Halloween party yesterday and she had a blast. She was a lady vampire and cute as a button. I got her fangs and headband from Etsy. I made the onesie myself.

More Vacation Pics

Shells

My favorite thing to do on vacation is pick up seashells. I love it. It reminds of those long ago Easter egg hunts as a child. I woke up most mornings and headed out the door to go on a shell hunt. (and a starbucks hunt, makes shell hunting even better)

Hurricane Sandy was making waves for the surfers 

Tampa Iowa Hawkeye Alumni club

We drove into Tampa to watch the Hawkeyes at the Iowa Hawkeye alumni club. Kai was not really a fan of this because it was too loud in there (and the Hawkeyes were upsetting her with their play.) Mom took her on a stroller ride to Starbucks where she napped and I had a nonfat, no water Chai--my favorite. 

Kai's first swim

I want Kai to be a good swimmer, so I plan to get her in swim lessans very soon. I was glad we got to expose her to the pool as a family first. It was not love at first swim, but she was digging it by the end of vacation. 

Only G rated photo of Kai and I that I could find
due to the size of my boobs.
I am still breast feeding and I think I make enough
milk to feed a whole village.

Maelani's Birthday

Maelani's ashes are in the ocean and I felt the need to be closer to her, so Wyatt and I booked a last minute vacation to Clearwater Beach, Florida. We had a wonderful birthday week for Maelani.  We stuck Kai's feet in the ocean, so Kai could meet her sister and she loved the ocean.  We sang Maelani Happy Birthday and threw a cupcake in the water. The birds carried it off, but I bet we made Maelani smile somewhere out there. I also bought Maelani a few Birthday books and read them to her. I love you Maelani. Happy 2nd Birthday.

Kai wants some birthday cupcake, but mommy says she isn't allowed to have cupcakes yet.
(Daddy let her get a finger full of frosting though... shhhhh!)

Birthday Cupcake

Grateful seagulls, celebrating Maelani's Birthday with us. 

Kai and sand

Kai loved the sand and ocean. I was a little apprehensive letting her play in the sand because I was afraid it would end up in her mouth and eyes, but it did not and all was perfect. (OK, maybe a little in her mouth)

MMMMM, sand..

Maelani's Birthday gifts

Maelani's birthday week is always a tough week for me, but I have an amazing husband and he reminds me birthdays are a time of celebration. Wyatt and I did what we could to spread some joy during her birthday week. We stopped by the Univeristy of Iowa and dropped off birthday toys to the boys and girls that were stuck in the hospital. We hoped it would help put a smile on their faces. The toys were aimed for the 2 year old age group and we hope they were excited about getting a new toy. 

Grandpa and Grandma Hadley visit

We are so thankful to have Grandma and Grandpa Hadley come and babysit for the Hawkeye games. Unfortunately the Hawkeyes lost that game, but Kai still had fun with the Grandparents despite the loss.

A big thank you to Josh and Karla for letting us stay at your place, it was perfect. :)

It's a shark!!

Daddy braved the gusty winds last night and went fishing at the pier. He caught one *whale* of a shark (pun intended--see photo.) It's a bonnethead shark which is a type of hammer head shark. He said the skin was surprising dry, with no slime to it at all. He said it felt unlike any fish he has felt, and that it felt more like the skin of a baby short-haired puppy. I guess it is fitting, since the baby sharks are called 'pups.' The little guy was returned safely to the crashing seas from whence it came.

What I'm drinking

Horizon Organic Chocolate milk.  It is the perfect match of creamy chocolatey goodness. I warm up a glass every morning and bammo perfect  hot chocolate.  I buy it at Target because I am always there.

http://www.horizondairy.com/products/milk-plus-dha-omega-3/lowfat-chocolate-milk-plus-dha-omega-3/

The color blue and a tutu