Rainforest Cafe

We took Kensie to Rainforest Cafe as a family for her birthday dinner.  Her favorite part was watching the fish. 

Baby #2

Baby #2 is on it's way!

I'm 14 weeks and due May 8th.

Kensie is really excited about the, "baby in mommy's tummy!"  She is already practicing to be a big sister with her doggy and baby.  She feeds, diapers, comforts, and puts them down for naps.  She'll be such a good big sister.

I started wondering if I was pregnant while we were in Hawaii because I had to use the restroom all the time.  I took a test about a week after we got home and it was positive!  I haven't felt as great this pregnancy as I did in my first.  Especially about weeks 6-10ish.  Super tired, unmotivated, and gross.  If I didn't eat every two hours I would get really dizzy, lightheaded, and feel sick.  Food didn't sound good but I had to eat anyway.  I didn't feel like doing anything, even shopping (gasp!).  Overall I can't complain though.  I never threw up and have been able to continue exercising.

Luckily, I've been feeling much better the last couple of weeks.  Still tired, but not feeling sick.

Yesterday I went to the doctor for an ultrasound and so far the baby looks healthy.  The ultrasound tech even gave us a hint of the baby's gender! :)  I'm so relieved to know I've made it through the first trimester.  Hooray!  Welcome to the second trimester!

Toddler Birthday Party

I threw a small birthday party for Kensie and her friends for her second birthday.  I wanted to keep it low key so we swam, ate pizza, and had cake.  I burnt the cake I made for Kensie so the morning of her birthday party I ended up having to go buy one anyway.  Even though I tried to keep everything very simple, it was still more work than I anticipated.  The thing that took me the most time was the goodie bags....which I forgot to hand out at the end!

I don't know how all these moms go 'pinterest style' on their kid's birthday parties with themes, decor, games, food, cupcakes, and everything matchy matchy!  That would send me into a nervous breakdown.  Next year, I think we'll stick to a family party or invite one or two friends:)

Timeout

One evening after Kensie was already in bed, I went into the guest bedroom downstairs.  In the corner I found Kensie's baby doll in timeout.  I had a good laugh.  Toddlers are funny.   

Mini Me

Now more than ever I hear this, "She looks just like her dad!"  Which is 100% true, I can't even deny it.  She is petite and will probably be built like me, but that's about it.  From her long eyelashes, to her little piggy toes, she looks just like her dad.

Grandma Child

 My mom was so sweet to watch Kensie while we went to Hawaii.  Kensie was probably in heaven with all of the one-on-one attention grandma gave her.  They played with toys, read books, and colored.  I'm really grateful they were able to spend so much time together since she doesn't get to see her grandma very often.  Kensie loves her so much!

My mom was able to stay an extra day when Niel and I got home from our trip.  Kensie opened her birthday presents from grandma early.  She got a highchair that converts to a car seat, a play phone, stickers, and clothes.  Kensie puts her dog in the car seat every single day and wants to take it with us when we run errands.  It was so nice to spend a day with my mom before she went home.  Thank you, mom!  We love you!

Souvenir

After two days of being home from Hawaii, I'd already eaten all of the delicious chocolate macadamia nuts we'd bought.  Note for next trip to Hawaii:  buy more chocolate macadamia nuts!!!

Besides chocolates, we brought Kensie home a Hawaiian dress.  She looked adorable in it.  Unfortunately, she is impossible to get pictures of these days.  

 She was pretty excited to have a dress from Hawaii she could wear to church!

Hawaii: Kayaking

We loved Lanakai Beach so much, we went back on Tuesday again.  This time, we rented kayaks and kayaked from Lanakai Beach to the Mokulua Islands.  

The hardest part of the journey was loading and unloading the kayaks from the top of our car and carrying them to and from the beach.  Kayaking was a workout, especially with the waves and current going against us but it was so fun and beautiful.

We stopped at the north Mokulua island, which is open to the public and had lunch on the beach.  Then we went snorkeling and saw two large turtles!  

We hiked around the back of the island which is all lava rock.

After our kayaking adventure, we grabbed some shaved ice with ice cream at the bottom.

We drove back to Waikiki for an early dinner at Hula Grill along the beach.  Our restaurant choice was determined by the fact that we had to have hula pie one more time before we went home.  It was just as good the second time!  The steak I ordered for dinner was also the best steak I've ever had.  The rest of the evening we walked along the Waikiki Strip and shopped for souvenirs.

Wednesday morning we swam one last time at Waikiki Beach and then headed home.  Leaving the beautiful island of Hawaii was hard to do.