Disneyland or bust?

Not a bust! It was quite the splendid trip. I say it like that because I was expecting the worst. Those of you who know me and my children well, know that they do not like the car, nor sleep in the car, and my anxiety in the car is the through the roof. However, everyone did great! We ran a tight ship with the intentions of getting there as fast as we could. This meant no REAL bathroom stops (only exit squat stops), eat in the car, and speed as much as possible while maintaining safety, or until the Burgdorf Suburban ( aka"the land yacht") started to shake. It paid off, we made it in 6 1/2 hours.

notice I-5 in the background

We stayed at the Residence Inn Maingate, which was only a 15 walk or a 5 minute shuttle ride away to the Parks. I had not been to Disneyland in 12+ years, and I had never seen California Adventure before. I actually didn't realize they shared a parking lot (well, I believe DCA was built on the old Disneyland parking lot). Anywhoo, we were well equipped for a fun time. We went with the Burgdorf's, Otto and Trudie, and Brandon's sister Tanya and her two boys, Lucas and Wyatt. I should say, this was a generous trip provided by the Burgdorf's.  They just went along for the ride, and let Tanya and Brandon and I make all the decisions. Otto's only requests were that we ride Pirates of The Caribbean and have a nice "civilized" dinner one night (more on that later).

In Cars Land

We spent our first non-travel day at California Adventure (DCA). This was quite the experience. Tanya's friend of a friend, pulled some serious strings and got us an executive tour guide of Cars Land. What is that you ask? Well, a nice "grey haired man in a Hawaiian shirt" named Tom (this is how he described himself so we knew who to look for) met us outside the park and took us straight to Cars Land. He did tell us stuff about the park along the way, like how it took 2+ years to build, etc...Once we arrived in Cars Land, he asked us how many would be riding the rides (not all of us could at a time since baby Harlan was along for the ride :). We told him six, and next thing you know, we bypass all the lines, and enter through side gate entrances and get right on the rides. The longest we waited was 5 minutes. No joke. I have to say, I felt like Hollywood royalty parading by the people waiting in line, while at the same time wondering if we were going to get hit with a churro by the angry commoners. We went on "Mater's Junkyard Jamboree", "Luigi's Flying Tires",

Cars attire ready for the ride

Mater's Junkyard Jamboree

Tanya and Wyatt

Elle LOVED the racers

Brandon and Lucas on Toy Story Mania

Radiator Springs Racers (twice) and "Toy Story Mania". I will say that Radiator Springs racers, is the only one of the Cars Land rides that is worth the hour + long waits. However, that ride can have up to a 4 hour long wait...but if you or your little ones are Cars fans, it is a must! "Soaring over California" is also a must. It is a very chill ride, but you are up in the air, not just sitting in a theater type setting. I say this because poor Wyatt, was a little traumatized by this (we were expecting the latter).
After we went on those rides our tour with Tom was over and we went to dine with the princesses for lunch. Brandon, Trudie, Elle, Harlan and myself all enjoyed fabulously expensive food while Elle got to shake hands (when they weren't in her nervous mouth) and take photos with all of the [over dressed] princesses. I was hot just looking at them. Elle was not overjoyed, but instead very shy and weary of them (very surprising of my otherwise overly social girl). Sleeping Beauty actually got down to her level and asked her questions and complimented her on her dress and buttons (I see Chotchkie's in her future career path) so she really warmed up to her. If you ask her today who her favorite princess was, she would say Sleeping Beauty. Definitely worth the money if you have a daughter who likes to be a princess. After lunch, we went back to the hotel for a nap and a swim and came back for dinner, some more rides, and I even let Elle and Harlan stay up way past their bedtime, for the "World of Color" show... another totally worth it to do!

Burgdorf Family Disneyland Vacation

The next day was Disneyland. It was a beautiful day, and despite not having a Tom, we had pretty small lines. I think we only experienced a quarter of the park though. You really need way more than a day to see all the park has to offer, but you also get a little burnt out on it all (and the kids sure get tired). We went to Adventure Land first and went on Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters. I sat this one out with Harlan but the rest of the fam went. Elle was a little scared on this one, which was surprising since she had been fearless up until this point. Autotopia, was a hit too (literally). As Brandon said, he and Elle had a blast "slamming into Asian tourists". I could only imagine. Next up was Fantasy Land. Dumbo, Casey's Circus Train and the carousel were among the favorites there.

on the train

on the carousel

The kiddos napping (Elle is asleep under the stuffed animals)

After naps, and the pool we came back to the park to ride Pirates of the Caribbean and have that civilized dinner I mentioned earlier. First up was dinner. Anyone who knows Otto and Brandon, know that they like a beer or cocktail from time to time. Otto was looking forward to that first sip of a cold one once we finally got seated at the New Orleans Cafe. The waiter graciously asked us if we would like some water or lemonade and I said, what about a cocktail? The waiter then said, "oh, only California serves alcohol". Sheer devastation took over the table. In 10 years, I have never seen Otto drink a glass of water (it's usually only coffee or beer). I took a picture to capture the moment.

 The civilized dinner should have taken place outside the gates :( Sadly, Pirates of the Caribbean was a little bit of a let down too. It was not as great as I, nor anyone, remembered. They seemed to have made it longer and changed it to be more Jack Sparrow and less politically incorrect, as I liked it. All in all, it was a great trip full of fond memories. I even survived the 7 1/2 hour drive home!

Harvest

 If you live in Davis you most likely drive a Prius, Subaru or a bike; shop at the co-op; buy organic everything; breastfeed in public; use Toms all natural products (and wear Toms too); are a doctor of some sort (probably a veterinarian ); your idea of high fashion is the wall rack at REI; and you most certainly grow your own vegetables. We only embrace a select few of these traits now, but I am always telling Brandon we are one step away from hairy armpits, petruli oil hair, and ditching the diesel for a bike with a trailer (we are actually in the market for a Burley). All jokes aside, Davis truly is a wonderful "green" community and we are honored to call it home.

Our going green efforts have fallen in the hands of Brandon and our garden. We do compost, although I am not sure we have ever used our own soil to fertilize the garden. I think it all just sits in our big black rotating thing rotting. We recycle as well, but it is mainly for money. Brandon stores it all in garbage cans sorted by plastic, cans, glass, etc., and once it gets to a level of unbearable eye soreness, and crowding, he brings it down to the local recycler, along with all the local  homeless people, and cashes in. He usually gets $100 or so (an entire trailer full) and we put it in Elle's college fund. At this rate she will not be attending UCD or Harvard, it will be beauty school for sure.

Though I don't find the garden to be esthetically pleasing, it is pretty yummy. Today was our first harvest, which Elle helped Brandon with. I watched them while taking the dry clothes down from the clothesline and hanging the wet ones up to dry. Oh, I guess I am doing my green part too!

she is a great helper

very excited to show me this tomato

It really is amazing to eat our own organic vegetables. Now, I get to look for great recipes to use these all up in! Thank you, Davis :)

the crop of the day

Angry Birds

Something you don't see everyday...

Brandon taped our camera to a pole to film inside the owl box out at the ranch. They DO NOT like intruders. Who knew owls hissed? This gives a whole new meaning to the ever so popular "angry birds" phenomena.

S#!t's and Giggles

I know I just blogged the other day, but I feel as though I am on a roll (thanks to all the positive feedback :). Of course, after I said that Elle doesn't interact much with Harlan, I was able to catch her in a playful moment with him and nab a picture.

 Even better, I got a video of the interaction...a proud mommy moment.

Harlan's belly laughs are cute enough to make even the most bitter housewife giggle. I am amazed at the sense of humor this kid has at 5 months. I can only imagine the class clown he will be in his school years. Although I didn't know Brandon "back in the day", I have heard that he was quite the classroom jokester. He still is King of dishing out nicknames, and one heck of a voice impersonator. He is looking over my shoulder as I type this, and he says he does not do impersonations. Good thing, I said "voice" impersonator. You know like, a jersey man's accent, a 7-11 worker, etc... He is very weary of me writing anything about him, but I told he he needs to lighten up. I should be giving myself the same advice.

I have never been one to hold back my thoughts, and lately I am having a hard time holding back my anger too. I am a short fuse. I blame the sleep deprivation. Just as Harlan started sleeping better (still not through the night), Elle started waking up at night. Ain't that the s#!t's. I should say that I have been VERY lucky with her thus far. It has only been a few weeks to where she has even got off her bed ever. Really! We used to walk out of her room (after reading books...etc), close the door and she would stay on her bed until we came into to get her in the morning. If she woke up, she would just talk and play by herself. Amazing I know. Well, not anymore. Now, she is playing her cards. " I am thirsty", " I have spicy mouth" (whatever that means), "I need to go to the bathroom", "I am scared of the dark", blah blah blah. The door now has to be open, and I have been getting bedside visits in the wee hours of the morning with bathroom trips. Oy vey. If it's not one, it's the other. I am nipping it in the bud, now... rewards, rewards, rewards. I will keep you posted on my efforts. So far, there has been vast improvement! There is a giraffe "Dream lite" in our future. Just what she needs, another animal... At least this one lights up.

I spoke too soon...pitter patter down the hallway as I type. Really? Just go to bed!

One Big Happy Family

I have no real idea of what I am doing, but I just felt it had to be done. After telling Brandon I was 'starting' a blog, he replied, "because you don't have enough to do?" Well, I guess I don't. Why sure being a "mother of two" (wow, still crazy to say and hear) is busy, it is important for me to take the time to share with friends and family our life moments.

These days, Elle (3 yrs, 3 months) is very much into creative play, and role playing with her stuffed animals. She insists that every one of her million stuffed animals (only a minor exaggeration) has a 'family'. I guess I should be proud that she takes so pride in the family unit, but it is really causing for some serious bedroom overload and pocketbook depletion. Anyone who has seen her bed knows what I am taking about.  Just today we had a costume party with some of her favorites.

Despite her "big feeling tantrums" (something we have been struggling with lately), she is such a joy to be around. She is usually the life of the party and the social butterfly. Brandon and I are always saying she is 3 going on 13. Her new catch phrases are "oh, my gosh!", "not now, I am too busy" and "don't worry, I will protect you". As much as I adore her, I am really praying that her little brother, is a little more easy going and even keeled. Being a second born, I don't think he has a choice.

So far, Elle has only accepted Harlan as part of the "one big happy family", a term Elle coined, and we've adopted. Other than an occasional talking to, or smile, she pretty much keeps her distance from him. She will give him his paci if he seems upset. Not sure if it is only to quiet him, or because she wants to help and make him happy, but either way, it helps me out. I wasn't exactly expecting a warm invitation from her in the beginning, but I was hoping that by now, she would be showing some interest.  Oh well, it could be worse. Harlan is happy as can be regardless.

Harlan 5 months old

Harlan has always had a great demeanor despite his digestional issues. That is partly, how I just knew something wasn't right. After weeks of painful cries and discomfort and many calls to the doctor, the doctor found blood in his stools. Not red blood that you or I could see, but it was there and lots of it. They actually say, if you can see the blood it isn't bad, it is when you don't that there is a major underlying issue. To quote his doctor "he is in excruciating pain". The cause was something in my diet he was reacting to. For nearly 2 months, I was unable to eat wheat, dairy, soy, eggs, tree nuts and peanuts. Surprisingly, it really wasn't that bad. I managed to still eat. Actually, I found that I could eat all the potato chips and tortilla chips I wanted. Essentially, as Brandon says, I had been training for this my whole life! Boy was he right. Chips, have always, and will always be my favorite guilty pleasure. After many trips to the doctor and a trip to the allergist, Harlan was diagnosed with FPIES (Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome). It sounds really horrible, but it really means that he can't digest certain proteins properly. It is 100% treated through diet, and he should hopefully outgrow it by 18 months. He is now on a special formula called Nutramigen, or otherwise referred to as "liquid gold" (due to the astronomical price of it). Truly now, he is so happy and healthy and has the most incredible thighs to prove it! Ironically, through all of these diet restrictions, I discovered that I have an intolerance to gluten and dairy. I guess everything really does happen for a reason.

I will say that having two kids brings on new challenges, but also puts things into perspective. The once "magazine mom" (a term my neighbor, Kenny, uses to describe me) I once was, realizes that everything can't be controlled and perfect all of the time. I now have to pick my battles and make sacrifices. I can't watch both video monitors as intently as I would like, and my new found lush, long beautiful hair gets wrapped up in a bun every day. But it works. I think my sister and close friends appreciate the more relaxed, Ashley and Brandon. I think Brandon and I are still getting used to us.

That being said, I hope this blog helps my family and friends to feel more connected to us, since we are  fairly boring. Brandon is concerned that I might use this blog to air out our dirty laundry, but I think our broken dryer has that covered!