Hawaii { Baby in First Class}

Aloha! We went to Oahu for our first family vacation with a baby... and boy was it different. We arrived at the airport very early in the morning and it was kinda exhausting. Between the 100 bags we carried, the car seat, the heavy stroller to push, breastfeeding on the airplane, breastfeeding in the airport, getting through security and making sure to communicate clearly with my husband (because, you know, I sometimes think things and forget to say them out loud then get mad at him for ignoring me, Seriously.), we did it and it was actually really enjoyable. Well, let's be honest....upgrading to first class did help a bit!!!!! Yup......coach is for suckers! It was like a whole other world at the front of the plane and baby Brenden was the only baby up there. He was such a little ham on the plane and did amazingly well. I mean let's get real, he was the center of attention everywhere we went on that island. He smiled at everyone, had baby conversations with anyone who listened and people could not stop looking, taking pictures and pointing at him...kind of unreal. 

He thinks he was helping me pack!

Totally worth every cent.

Superbaby in First Class.

Fancy. That was just a breakfast snack.

A Totally relaxing and comfortable flight.

The view from our place! Thanks Annie and Gma Jo! We had an awesome time.

Leonard's Bakery....so addicting...we went twice!

Malasadas....a Portuguese doughnut without the hole. Super scrumptious!

Early morning snuggling.....Those chunky thighs are hard to resist.

Strollin' on the boardwalk with my little man.

 

This was by far the nicest Hard Rock Cafe that I have been to...even better than Paris.

Yummy tropical drinks.

Taking an evening walk on Waikiki Beach.

Hiking to the waterfall.

We made it!

With my girl.

We saw this peacock at the end of the hike and it loved being photographed.

Vintage Surf poster postcards for Brenden's nursery.

We explored and drove around the whole island one day. It was 90 miles all the way around and about 4 1/2 hours.

Pictures from the drive.

So pretty!

My sweet loves!

Spending time with Grandkids.

Enjoying this picture perfect view at The Royal Hawaiian Hotel.

What a cutie pie!

He was not sure about his little piggies touching the sand.

Not too happy when the waves came crashing!

My new obsession.... Hula Pie at Duke's Restaurant. Macadamia nut ice cream piled high on a chocolate cookie crust and topped with fudge, whipped cream, and more macadamia nuts.

Brenden loved staring at the colorful birds and people watching on Kalakaua Ave.

Lounging in his Hawaiian shirt.

Of course I have to find an ornament! I always search for the perfect one during every new place we travel. It makes decorating our Christmas tree even more special.

Kylah's Favorite place...Brandy Melville.

My Hubby and I with Hawaiian flare.

One of the Beach days. 

He loved the turtles and following the penguins waddle around.

Hangin' with the grandparents.

With my momma. :)

The Hawaii Five-0 Headquarters is located in Downtown Honolulu and we had to drive by and take a picture. We love watching the show!

Looking for deals at the Aloha Stadium Swap meet.

I scored this Hawaiian quilt for the baby. We got a smokin' deal because it rained so hard and we took shelter in this tent. Ryan helped the man take his quilts down so they wouldn't get wet.

Each design has a special meaning and we chose this one.

This piece we purchased is called a Tapa cloth. It is made from the bark of the Paper Mulberry plant and the artwork is the ink from the bark of a Mangrove plant.

Aloha....time to go home. Oh how they love each other!

XOXO, Tania

Baby Picasso

Today I felt like crafting and wanted to include Brenden.

I saw this on Pinterest....(I am hooked) and it looked simple enough.

Yeah right, not with a 5 month old little boy.

A simple handprint made a huge mess.

After many tries, we ended up with this masterpiece.

Enjoy!

 

XO, Tania

My Greatest Accomplishment : Motherhood

Happy Mother's Day!

MY GIRL

MY BOY

Ryan brought home this Caramel Custard Cake for me from Taste of Denmark in Berkeley and it was divine. 

My heart melted.

So excited about this! Fancy.

We made a pit stop here!!!!

With my babies...

Homemade ice cream with a waffle cookie on top.

Homemade Triple Berry ice cream......yum!

Love the sign!

A tribute for my Grandma. She loved cherries and would have loved it here!

Happy Mother's Day Mom! Whoa....that's an old picture. 

XO, Tania

Date Day Friday : Sonoma

When we were first married I started this tradition called Date Day Fridays.

 Since Ryan has Friday off and Kylah is at school, 

we would save Friday to do something fun together. 

Well... we haven't had a Date Day Friday since Brenden. 

Let's just say that life has really changed! 

When I was pregnant, Fridays turned into my prenatal appointments

 and now that we have a baby, Fridays revolve around Brenden. 

For pediatrician appointments or just running errands. 

Anyway, this past Friday was a our first Date Day Friday... with a baby.

 It was amazing!

Who knew that a baby would make life so much sweeter.

We went to downtown Sonoma and took a walk around the park, 

explored through shops, had pastries at a Boulangerie,

and then lunch and cocktails at The Girl and The Fig. 

I love that place!

Cruisin' in the baby carrier.

Brenden loved watching the ducks.

Yum! Pain au chocolat...my favorite and Ryan's bear claw.

Baby facing forward. A first!!!!! He loved it!!!

I love this restaurant!

The works platter! The meats, cheeses and fig compote are to die for.

What a hard life!

My first cocktail since before pregnancy. The Lavender Mojito and The Fig Kiss

 

Waiting for the car to cool down... It was a very hot day!

XO,  Tania

Brenden : Five Months

 Happy five month birthday my little love!

Time seems like it is just flying by. 

Five months ago to the day I was in labor, just about to get an epidural. 

It seems like that is such a distant memory but it was not long ago.

You are starting to reach out for everything 

and rolling both ways each and every day. 

Also, sitting up like a champ these days. 

You're this close to crawling. 

You've been up on your hands and knees rocking back and forth 

and we can finally see a neck under there.

Playing is more important to you than napping right now. 

 Being face in while being carried just isn't acceptable anymore, 

you want to see the world.

My absolute favorite time with you is in the mornings. 

You are so smiley, so happy and just such a joy.

 Honestly, you're like that way most of the time
 but mornings you just radiate. 

It makes your mom, who was never a morning person, 

be in such a good mood first thing in the morning.  

Thank you for being such a cool kiddo. 

We love you more and more each day.

 

XO, Tania

Testing The Waters Before Hawaii

The weather has been soooo hot all week long. So, we got a baby pool for Brenden to splash around in. We tried it for the first time and he loved it. It was about 85 degrees at 2 pm, so I put the pool in the shade and brought my naked little love outside. He looked adorable in his swim trunks and was my usual happy baby. I know he will enjoy Hawaii.....can't wait!

XO, Tania