Vacation dreams and dilemmas

Our day at Grant's Farm was good. There were a total of 8 kids and 5 adults on our trip. Luckily the kids all behaved really well. The weather was so hot, though, that we only stayed for a couple of hours. Then we went to TGI Fridays for lunch before we parted ways for the day. After lunch, Shawn and I hit the bookstores in search of a Hawaii travel guide.
Next year, Shawn will have 2 weeks of vacation. We've decided to plan a trip for next summer. Our dream is to go to Hawaii. We've tossed around the idea of going to California. We've even been invited to join our friends (Kelly, Amber & Bo) on a cruise to Mexico. I'm open to any of those options, but Shawn's heart is really set on Hawaii, and I have to say that, after reading part of our travel guide, it's looking pretty irresistable to me, too. Here's where the dilemma comes in. Keira isn't (and won't be) old enough to do much in Hawaii. That means that Shawn and I wouldn't be able to do some of the fun things we'd like to do, like snorkeling or scuba diving. So, we'd either have to take her with us, and forgo some of the activities we want, or leave her behind. Shawn doesn't seem to have a problem with leaving her with relatives (most likely grandparents). I, on the other hand, get almost physically sick at the thought of leaving my baby (who'll be 15 months old by then) and going so far away.
If we go to California, it'll be easier to do things that she'll be able to do with us. If we go on the cruise with friends, they're planning to bring along their kids, too. So, we'd be able to bring her, have more opportunities to do things that Keira wouldn't be able to do, and we could (possibly) leave her in the care of friends.
Cost is another factor. Hawaii would definitely be the most expensive of the trips. Something that'll be "once in a lifetime". If we chose to do a less expensive vacation, we could use some of the money we'd save and work on finishing our basement, or doing other home improvements. And we could always save our money, and plan a trip to Hawaii when Keira is old enough to come with us and enjoy it.
I always thought vacations were supposed to be relaxing. Who knew planning one could be so stressful!

Another week almost gone

It's Thursday...another week is almost gone. I've been really enjoying my summer at home with Keira. We've begun to develop a bit of a routine. We get up around 6:00 or 7:00 in the morning. Keira eats between 8:00 and 9:00, and then I rock her to sleep. She usually sleeps for two or three hours, then wakes up to eat again. We spend the afternoon playing and napping. It's amazing how much she's changed during the past 14 weeks (tomorrow). I've been able to get more things done around the house lately. I'm getting spoiled being here with her. I'm not looking forward to returning to work in August.
Speaking of work...I've almost finished setting up my classroom for next school year. I had to move out to the portable classrooms. At first, I was dreading it, but I think I'm going to like it after all. I've been able to set things up exactly the way I want them. I'm glad for that. I've been in my classroom five out of the past seven days working. I've taken Keira with me each day. How perfect it would be if I could take her with me to work every day....just set up her play pen in the corner of my room. Oh well, I guess I'll just keep dreaming.
Anyway, since I've been working down there, this week has flown by! Saturday we're supposed to go to Grant's Farm with Amber, Bo, their 4 girls, and Kelly. It should be a fun day. I know that Keira will be too young to enjoy herself or even remember being there, but I still think it'll be a good time. I read somewhere once that taking a baby to the zoo is more for the parents than the child, and I think that's probably true. At any rate, I'm sure we'll have more pictures to post after this weekend.

Daddy encourages UV protection! 

Here's Keira and Daddy after Keira's bath... 

We put her in bed with us in the mornings to play. She's in the best mood early in the morning. 

Here are some recent pics of our little sweetie, Keira Grace! She's 3 months old!! 

WELCOME!

Welcome to our blog site! For those of you who don't know us, let me tell you a bit about our family. I'm Diana. I am 27 years old, and live with my husband, Shawn (26 until 7/23), our new daughter, Keira (13 1/2 weeks old), and our miniature schnauzer, Max (3). I'm a 4th grade teacher, and Shawn is an optometrist. We've been married for 4 1/2 years (5 on December 30!).
We both grew up in average-sized families....2 boys and 1 girl in my family (I also have 4 older siblings), and 2 boys and 2 girls in Shawn's family. My older brother, Rob, is married with a two-year old daughter (my God-daughter), Sara. His wife is Lisa. My younger brother's name is Tim.
Shawn is the oldest in his family. He has a younger brother, Dwayne, who is getting married to Becky on August 19. Their younger sister, Holly, recently married Jeff and is expecting their first child, Tyler Webb, in October. Their youngest sister is Amanda. Shawn also has a step-brother, Scott, who is married to Shelley. They have an adorable son named Ryan.
We both have wonderful parents. Mine are Bud and Bert. Shawn's are George and Roxana. They're all pretty great!
I decided to create this site to share my thoughts on being a new mom, adjusting to work with a new baby, and being a family. I hope you'll enjoy it and feel free to join in the conversation!