Irvine Regional Park

We've been living in Southern California for a whole year now and it was hitting that milestone that made me realize, we have yet to really take advantage of this area outside of our immediate environs, really explore it, you know? So a couple of weekends ago I took the kids out to the Irvine Regional Park for a day of fun.

It's a big regional park that has a little bit of everything -- wide open lawns for picnicing and parties (there were at least two family reunions taking place the day we were there), play structures for the kids, trails for biking and hiking and horseback riding, pony rides, a mini train that gives rides, a lake where you can rent paddleboats and fish and feed ducks. The Orange County Zoo is even housed there.

There was so much to do that we definitely weren't going to fit it all into one trip, especially since it was just me and the kids, and some things like the paddle boats I wouldn't want to attempt without my second parent friend present, hehe.

The first thing we found when we drove in was a play structure area for the kids, so we spent about an hour there. Violet made some little friends right away, a family of 5 other kids, ranging from a baby in a stroller to a girl who was something like 6 or 7 I should think. Max mostly threw sand but also climbed up the baby structure and went down the slide a few times.

Eventually we made our way to the train.

 

We ended up arriving and getting our tickets just in time to catch the next ride before it left. It's a cute little train on a real track that winds around the lake and some other parts of the park in a big loop, probably 10 minutes or so altogether. Max hadn't had his morning nap so he was already pretty exhausted by this time, but he got interested once the train started moving.

There are peacocks on the property. Apparently one of the trees is famous for having been in a Lassie movie, and some other films have been shot here as well. I think the guide said like, Wuthering Heights, or something that is set on the English countryside, hehe.

After the train Violet got to ride the ponies, a first for her. She had the option of a walking pony or a trotting (faster) pony. Three guesses which one she choose. She ended up going twice, she liked it so much.

I'd intended to hit the zoo, but we were hot and getting tired and cranky, so we went to the snack shack and bought some ice cream treats and then went back to the play structure for a bit. Violet's friends were still there.
   
Then, finally, I got them back into the car, cranked up the AC, and headed home.

Maxy didn't last very long. :)

So that's one new place we've discovered that has a ton of potential for family outings, and I'm excited to bring Shawn back with us next time now that I know you can fish in the lake. I think he and Violet would have fun doing the paddleboats together.

Not sure what's next on our adventure schedule, but I'll keep you posted!

Feed Me!

(originally published on Blogging For Two on July 15, 2014)

In a delicious turn of events, I have decided to share with the world all the delicacies I'm currently eating or would eat if they were put in front of my face.

#1: Cheese Quesadillas. Pretty much all Mexican food (again) but cheese quesadillas top the list this week. So crunchy and cheesy and perfect for scooping up guac. If you're not eating this with guac, you're doing it wrong. This recipe is from Paula Dean's website, and while I've never made it myself, you know that butter-lover makes a mean fried tortilla.

#2: Cheeseburger. I'm so hungry looking at this right now. Cheese and meat, red meat. Bacon. More avocado. Yes.

#3: Fruit-based pies. We went to Nation's the other day. Well, Shawn picked up Nation's while I waited at home. And I specifically asked for strawberry pie. They sent him home with chocolate creme pie. I was devastated. Not enough to let it go to waste or anything, but you know, still pretty pissed.

#4: Peanut Butter Pretzel Milkshake. I didn't know I needed this until I saw it on the internets. But I think we can all agree that this is needful.

#5. Pickles. Yes, it's happened. I wouldn't say I crave pickles, but when they give me one with a sandwich, I suddenly find myself asking if I can have two instead. Did you know there was a National Pickle Day? It's November 14. I shall be celebrating this year.

Also, pretty much everything on my Pinterest boards dedicated to food and dessert. Also pizza. There's a strong theme of cheese running through all this, I think.

And the answer is 7.4lbs so far, at week 14. I'm still right on track to gain about 30lbs with this pregnancy, which I can totally live with. That's half of what I did before and smack in the middle of the recommended range, so I'm aiming for the middle.

We've Gone Public!

(originally posted on Blogging For Two on July 7, 2014)

With all the exciting things that have been happening with the realization that Baby #2 is on the way to our household, I'd forgotten all about the blog I wrote while I was pregnant with Baby #1 (now known as Miss Violet Jane).

It wasn't until SIL reminded me about it that I decided to jump into it again, especially now that we've made it known to everyone outside the family (Facebook Declared!). 

Here are the important statics so far:

Due date: Jan 9

Currently: 13wks

Gender: still officially unknown

Unofficially, however, there seems to be a good chance that this baby is a boy. We had an ultrasound last week as part of routine genetic screening tests, and the ultrasound technician and I both noticed at the same time that there was very obviously something sticking up from between the legs that was not the cord, or an arm, or a leg. It's early to be able to see that at what was 12.5 weeks, so we're not calling it yet, but the indications are strong.

When I got home that day, I thought, oh nice, this means I can get rid of all the girly stuff that I've been hanging on to just in case. And then I immediately got sad about it. Sort of a big deal to part with all my first baby's baby stuff. I may have to hang onto a few things that I like the best.

Looks like it's going to be another baby season, too, as at least two of my besties are also expecting, all within a month or two of each other. I cannot reveal their names at this time, but one of them is Leti, (hehe, she's already told everyone) who was a bridesmaid in my wedding, and thought she could fool all the other gals (who were already moms at least once) when she was bursting into tears for no reason and complaining about having itchy boobs. Everyone's first response was, are you pregnant? Psh. Like you can hide that from Mama's eagle eyes.

So far things are going well. Less morning sickness this time which is saving my life, and the nausea is already starting to fade.

Here's the official weekly update from BabyCenter, with a handy illustration.

Fingerprints have formed on your baby's tiny fingertips, her veins and organs are clearly visible through her still-thin skin, and her body is starting to catch up with her head -- which makes up just a third of her body size now. If you're having a girl, she now has more than 2 million eggs in her ovaries. Your baby is almost 3 inches long (about the size of a pea pod) and weighs nearly an ounce. As you start your second trimester, most of your baby's critical development will be completed and your odds of miscarriage drop considerably.