quick update that we have hit the 3-month mark and so far so good. we took bailey to see the sonogram and she said the baby is saying "cheeeese" to the camera. after that visit she has proudly been announcing to strangers that she's going to be a "BIG SISTER."
:-)
btw, even though it was early, i was pretty amazed that the baby actually looks like a baby already. i saw it scratch it's head and kick its legs. the sonographer said "this one is active." ugh.
two 6-hr long flights and a fair number of hours logged in a rental car and taxi cabs and only one — count'em one — episode of vomit from bailey. SUCCESS!!!
all in all, the trip was super relaxing, even though we packed in a fair number of all-day activities in the heat. bailey kept asking "is this our home [now]?" we kept having to explain that it was family vacation home but that her crib and stuffed animals and friends would all be waiting for her back in nyc.
bailey even seemed to do fine with the time change. the going to bed later, was no problem! she even started taking 2 naps a day again. BUT the 5 AM wake up calls were a little more challenging.
we stayed at a resort across from the san diego sea world that had it's own ducklings, pools, and beach. the suite was pretty luxurious given that the closet was big enough to be bailey's bedroom. ducks right outside our door became quick fans of bailey as she insisted on feeding them every time we passed by.
our first major outing was sea world. it's been quite awhile since i was at the san antonio sea world and i have to say, it was pretty impressive! the dolphin show not only featured some of the most talented dolphins (but also had some cirque de soleil-esque acrobatics). bailey particularly liked the "princess", "princess birdie" and "flippers" (some dudes dressed up as birds that did flips and spins). we got to feed seals, see turtles/polar bears/beluga whales/starfish/otters/beavers/penguins and more! the killer whale show was a not as elaborate as the dolphin show and the trainers were never in the water with the whales (perhaps a cautionary change from last year's fatal shamu show). the icing on the cake was that there was a toddler-friendly sesame street park RIGHT SMACK DAB in the heart of sea world. the live elmo was a little too scary for an apprehensive bailey. although, after we left she insisted that she wanted to shake elmo's hand.
another day was spent at the san diego zoo (and balboa park). unfortunately, matt pulled his back out just prior to entering the zoo at the japanese gardens (by pointing at fish. sorry honey, i had to include this detail). the animals were pretty amazing with very little between you and the enclosures. bailey astounded me with the amount of energy she had. perhaps because i was needed my pregnancy afternoon-nap. one of the highlights though was outside the zoo itself. it was riding the children's train which is featured in Carl's Afternoon in the Park!
with matt's back out, bailey and mom decided to let him rest as we went on some MORE adventure. she and i went to legoland which was actually really stellar for a 2 yr-old. there were miniature lego towns, and duplo style creatures for her to play with. we went on a couple lowkey rides but really had a blast taking respite from the heat at legoland's new water park. IT WAS SO CLEAN and cute. take it from me, who has a little bit of an exaggerated fear of kiddie poop floating in a pool. they close down the park 5 times a day for cleaning. :-) the wading area was perfect for a non-swimmer like bailey. it was a gooooood time.
ok, a quick word on food (because what's a vacation without yummy food?). we had some pretty rawkus tacos and vietnamese food (both on the cheap). and some decent sushi and of course, in n out. i must say, don't get the chinese food in san diego. save it for san fran.
HOOOoooray. family vacation! i can write these words with enthusiasm because another family vacation is just around the corner! yee haw.
check out all our san diego pics on flickr.
here's bailey with her other 2 yr-old ballerina friends. they were all pretty darn adorable!