Babymoon

 

With Baby Boy on his way, a babymoon was in order.  Dave and I spent the weekend in San Francisco for our first real vacation without Kate.

We checked into our room at the Ritz Carlton (got a screamin’ good deal too)…

Got one amazing couple’s massage…and yes, I”ll expound.  While I’ve had a few massages in my day, this was the first time the masseuse was gutsy enough to venture down to my squeezy cheeks zone.  And while it felt ‘nice’ I suppose, there’s still something very unsettling about having a stranger rub your bum (especially by a same-sex masseuse in San Francisco).  Oh, well.  It certainly eased my pregnancy pains, and I think Dave’s too.

Once we got out of the hotel, we ran into a couple of crazies…

Ate lavishly (and at this little gem twice)…

Saw some sites…

Chinatown

Rode on the cable and street cars…

Got our Disney fix… This museum housed original scripts, concept art, letters, awards, photos, and other Walt Disney memorabilia.

Took the tour of Alcatraz… At first this place looked like nothing more than a pile of rocks, but they had a seriously cool audio tour narrated by actual prison guards and prisoners that taught us a lot about the prison. It kept our undivided attention for the whole visit (which I am still amazed by).

We learned all about some of its infamous prisoners (aka-Al Capone, the “Birdman,” and many others). We explored the cellhouse, solitary confinement, the dining hall, the control room, the showers, the library, etc.  But my favorite part was hearing about escapes, and seeing the escape routes. Very cool.  Research the place if you get a minute.

And my very favorite part of the trip….

WICKED!!!

I was very suprised that I liked it as much as I did.  While you can sign me up for most any Broadway show, I generally tend to get bored at some point in every show (the truth comes out).  But not this one.  The cast was awesome; Glinda was hilarious. So glad we got to see it at its home in San Francisco before it leaves next week.

So anyway, that was our trip!  Aside from LOTS of walking, and lots of dough spent on taxis, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Loved having some one-on-one with my Number One, and so glad he believes in silly traditions like “babymoons” too.  But, boy, were we both so glad to see our little girl after only 2 nights away from her!  We’re such wussies, huh?

Kateisms

Our latest and favorite words uttered from our child's mouth:

1. Dave and I transformed Kate's playroom into the baby's nursery. Dave removed some of Kate's fingerpainted masterpieces from the wall and to that Kate calmly asked, "Are you TRYING to make me cry?"

2. I am combing Kate's hair while she unsuccessfully tries to tear the floss from its unwieldy dispensor. Kate's pipes, "Um, Mom, this is a little awkward."

3. Yesterday Kate and I are rounding the corner to go downstairs to make breakfast. Out of nowhere, Kate rumbles, "RRRRrrrggghhh....Mom, sometimes you drive me crazy!" Totally stunned, I ask her why. Rolling her eyes she says, "You just do."

4. Probably a month ago Kate's turning her back side to me, grunting, and desperately trying to push her bum out. I ask her what she's doing. "I'm trying to get a big bum so I can be a mommy like you." I'll go ahead and not be offended by that. And for the record, my bum is not that big.

5. AND MY PERSONAL FAVORITE...
Making a late-night drive home one night, Dave and I are conversing in the front seat, while our little bean constantly shooshes Dave from the back seat. Finally, Kate petitions me with, "Mom, I'm trying to get Dad to shut his mouth." I laugh, "Why do you want him to shut his mouth?" Kate explains, "I want him to shut his mouth so the vomit won't come out." Yes. She really did say that.

6. And, last, an almost daily conversation occurs before and after mom has makeup on her face. Before the makeup, Kate likes to inform me, "I don't like that face." After the makeup, she examines me carefully, gets so excited and says, "I LIKE YOUR FACE!!!" She's just so complimentary.

Kate Grows Up

We kicked off a great week on Monday at Sundance’s “Big River.” Dave and I hadn’t been since we were first married and it was fun going back with our little girl.  She actually crashed a quarter of the way in, giving Grandpa Lyle some good moments to love on her.

The show had some star talent and scenery, but we did have to sit on the grass.  I kind of think it’s only worth your dollar, if you get there early enough to sit on the bleachers…but that’s just a pregnant lady with a less than stellar tailbone speaking.

The rest of the week Dave worked hard while Kate and I partied.   We hit the splash pad, Kangaroo Zoo and the Aquarium.  She and I have been living it up this summer because I know all too well that in 10 short weeks, we’ll potentially become shut-ins.

Yesterday, Kate got invited to a play date with a little boy from our ward.  We packed up a backpack with toys and snacks and as I was dropping her off she asserted, “Have a fun day at work, Momma.”  I reminded her that I didn’t work anymore and that I’d be at home if she needed anything.  “Oh, have a fun day at home, Momma,” she said.  Darling.  I walked home feeling like my little girl was such the grown up. I couldn’t believe she was over playing at the neighbors’ without me there!  It probably doesn’t sound weird to anyone but me, but it was one of those defining moments, reminding me that we didn’t have a baby anymore.

So to add to Kate’s maturity and coming of age, last night she went to her first ever girl cousin sleepover party at Grandma Sandra’s! Dave and I weren’t sure what to do with all this newfound freedom!  Actually, a good portion of the night was committed to Dave’s assistant’s wedding reception.  We met up with some of Dave’s co-workers and got in some good laughs.  Afterwards, Dave and I nourished ourselves at Chef’s Table.  The restaurant closed shortly after we arrived and all of the other diners left. So, let me tell you…pretty romantical being treated to a private dining experience.

I was sure we’d get a phone call in the late hours of the night, but the next thing we knew, morning arrived. Kate’s a tad tired today, mind you, but she proved she’s one of the big girls now. Glad to have her home, though. I find myself seriously missing her if she’s gone for too long.

 

The morning after, sporting a good case of bed-head

Kate's First Recital

Kate made her big debut dancing last night at the Provo Covey Center for the Arts; cutest darned thing I've ever seen. Before the recital she was under the impression that she was going to give a speech on stage. She told us, "I'm going to say 'Welcome ladies and gentlemen. My name is Kate Blackhurst." That's not quite how it all went down, but she was definitely a crowd pleaser and loved her time on stage. Being her parents, we quite loved her time on stage as well. You can't see it in the pic, but on her costume there is a heart-shaped pattern on the chest. Kate pointed it out to me and said, "See, Mom, it has a heart; that means I'm in love."

Below is a video of the two dances she performed:

Notice our little star hamming it up at curtain call (on the right of the front row).

After Kate's peformance, we explored the tasty cuisine of Korea with Uncle Ryan's help ordering. I was particularly proud of myself for being so adventurous, but it was really delicious. We'll have to do it again soon!

Partying With the B.L. Monster

 

We just got back from another trip to Bear Lake.  Like last year, we kicked off our vaca with an overnighter in Logan.  For dinner, the Iron Gate Grill beckoned us and our bellies were completely satisfied by all the grease and goodness.

The next morning we tested out the hotel swimming pool, bummed the mall and strip malls, and lest we forget, enjoyed some lunch and lollis at the Bluebird Restaurant--all before buying up some groceries for the rest of our weekend at the lake.  This year’s condo was an improvement over last year’s, having been updated at least once since the 70’s.  We’re still hoping to land a luxurious place at least one of these years, but you just never know what you’re going to get. 

Accomodations aside, the beach was perfect.  We set up an EZ up and scattered buckets, shovels, and billions of floatie toys all around.  The kids (and adults) were set.  We spent several hours each day at the beach alone.

Kate especially loved building sand castles and floating in the blue boat with her cousins.She even surprised us when she agreed to be pulled by the boat on the tube.
 

Other highlights included (but were not limited to) a mean game of mini golf, pool visits, raspberry shakes, kite-flying, card games, a barbecue with extended family, a big french toast breakfast cooked by Uncle Ryan, and dvds.

Upon leaving yesterday, there were many tears and sad shrieks from one little girl.  But once home (and after an atypical 4 hour-long nap) has bounced back to her old, happy self.