California Trip

Robert had a work trip out in California this past month. We had been wanting to get out there and see family and explore the area. San Francisco is one of my favorite places and Robert had never been there. I wanted to see the city with him and see how much he would love it up there. We took the opportunity to do it when Robert was already out there and we only had to buy one plane ticket. Robert was working in Oxnard, about 60 miles north of L.A. I was driving up to 2 hours to go have lunch with friends. That is further than going to Nashville or Bham. It is just a different concept out there to spend hours in the car for a commute. Georgia and I flew in to L.A. on a Wednesday midday. We were supposed to go visit a friend from college, but I was in such a bad mood from traveling that we just headed up to the hotel to meet Robert. I am glad that we did because we sat in traffic for 2 hours, I forgot how bad it was.

Let me start at the beginning of our trip. Wednesday morning at 3 am Georgia woke up and wanted to eat. After I fed her I could not fall back asleep knowing my alarm was going to go off in 30 minutes. Once we got to the airport, I did not know how I was going to get all of my stuff to the gate. Most airports have curbside check in which would have been wonderful, but not Huntsville. So, I parked my car in long term parking and walked all the way up to the airport with Georgia strapped on to me, carrying her car seat and base, giant suitcase, and stroller. I was hoping I would see someone on the way in to help me, but not many people are at the airport at 5 am. I got there with no problems, but felt like I got the workout of a lifetime. We got to preboard the flight and luckily the flight was empty and we got a row to ourselves. Georgia was great the whole flight. We flew to Chicago (I don't know why, but it added 2 hours to the next flight, I was mad). I do not have good experiences with Chicago. We came in at the very last gate of one terminal and had to go to the end of another terminal in 20 minutes. We arrived at the gate, when I am supposed to be boarding to find out that I don't have a gate anymore. They said that our plane is there but they don't have a gate and we will just have to watch the tv monitors. I quickly use the bathroom and then check the monitors to find out that I am now at the very last gate of another terminal and my plane is not delayed which means that they are already boarding. We run over there and get on. The plane is over booked and of course I sit next to a large man. It sucked for him because he had Georgia kicking him when I would nurse her. She did great again on that flight, but 4 hours on a plane with a 6 month old is hard. All the people around us kept complimenting her on how good of a baby she was. A month before this we could not have done this. She has gotten so much better. It then took us 2 hours to get the rental car and another 2 hours to get to the hotel. I was exhausted and ready to crash.

All the toys I brought to keep Georgia happy while flying

Excited and ready to fly for the first time

Flying with mommy

The next day I went down to my old school, Biola, and visited an old friend. This is Georgia in front of the giant Jesus.

After Biola we went down to visit Gina. She just got a puppy. The two cutest things together, a baby and a puppy

Georgia and Charlie playing. They loved each other

On Friday I went down and had lunch with my old roommates. It was so much fun to catch up and to meet their kids. Kari had her baby 5 days later.

After lunch we went down to have dinner with Meagan. We forgot to take a picture with her :(

We went to a cute Italian restaurant. Georgia loved the waiter. She would be fussing and he would come and talk to her, she would immediate stop and smile. Luca you are in luck, she seems to like the Italian stallions. What was funny about this restaurant was that the waiter wouldn't let me change any of the meals. All I wanted was plain pasta with cream sauce. He said momma wouldn't do that. Meagan and I kept trying to explain to him that I don't like meat in my pasta. Luckily I got my meal, he said momma wasn't in the kitchen when he placed my order.

On Saturday we drove up the coast to Santa Cruz. Robert really wanted to drive up the 1(pacific coast highway). It was pretty, but added at least an hour to our drive. We went to the boardwalk and had dinner with my family(Genevieve, Uncle Dave, Aunt Cathy, me, and Robert). Abby is already at college and Maggie was away on a retreat. We had a great dinner and rode a few rides at the boardwalk.

We got to meet up with Maggie later during the week

On Sunday we went to Monterrey. We went to the pier to walk around and see the town. There were a lot of pelicans around and I wanted a picture next to them. Unfortunately when I sat down on the bench I sat in 4 different poop piles

we already cleaned it off, but can you still see the white? My jeans were wet for a long time.

Monday and Tuesday we went into the city and did all the tourist attractions. Chinatown, got my fake bag!! We walked into a Chinese grocery store to find different candy. Most of them were gross, not to mention all of the dried out fish and animal parts laying around. Not a smell I would put in a candle.

Riding the cable cars.

The second day we did Pier 39. At the end of the pier there were picnic tables with a great view of Alcatraz and the Golden Gate bridge. We had lunch and dinner there. We couldn't see the Golden Gate bridge because it was too foggy. This is Alcatraz in the back ground

All the sea lions. It was funny to watch them. Some would get very possessive of their area and would fight the other sea lions off the dock to lay alone. As soon as he would knock one in, another would jump up and he would have to fight him too.

All over the town there were these animal hats. I debated about getting one, but finally I got them. Huntsville get ready for my koala hat.

It was so cold at night. Georgia got her first cold on this trip. I think it was because of the cold nights and warm days. We had to buy the hats because it was sooo cold.

We raced Georgia down the hill. We won!!

Just kidding it was parked

Yummm. I had a giant brownie sundae

I probably could finish this in 2-3 days

driving across the Golden Gate Bridge. We couldn't see anything, it was too foggy

On Wednesday we went to Muir woods. It was so pretty. Georgia loved it so much she fell asleep on me

Tried to capture how tall the trees were

I would hate for this tree to fall on my house

We stopped in the best place to get pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge. Isn't it pretty? We loved the view. Robert was so mad. He never got to see the bridge. We drove over to Sausalito and it was sunny there. It it weird how one side of the bridge can be sunny and the other foggy and cold.

On Thursday we went to my Grandpa's house. He is a WWII hero and loves to talk about his stories. I haven't heard them in a long time and Robert has never heard them. 4 hours was a long time of stories, but it was so good to see him. My grandfather has lived in his house for over 30 years and had furniture for longer. It is so cool to walk around and see the time warp. I love that nothing has changed.

A picture does not capture the wallpaper from back then

There are no lights in the ceiling. These are the lights

On Friday we had lunch with my cousin and his family.

Johnny, Jack, Katie, Me, Georgia, Robert, and Uncle Brian

Georgia and Jack had so much fun talking to eachother. They would babble back and forth. I tried to upload a video of them talking. If Jack would turn away Georgia would hit the table and start talking almost saying, "Pay attention to me!"

On Saturday we drove to Napa and then over to Davis for a family cookout. Wine grapes are very small. It was pretty in Napa. I am not a big wine person, but I am glad I got to go.

View from a winery.

Brian and Robert at the first winery

The winery was tucked in the hill like a bunker

The second winery specialized in sparkelling wine. I ordered a tray, but only got a sip of each because Georgia was screaming.

After Napa we went to my Aunt's house to meet the family. My cousins and their kids came down.

This is all the kids playing. The girls loved Georgia and each wanted their own picture with her. At one point, they held on to her and then got up and dropped her like she was a doll. Georgia did not appreciate being trated like a doll.

cousin Mike

Georgia"This feels rough"

Whole family. We are missing a few cousins, aunts and uncles

I am so glad that everyone was able to come down and see us. Thank you

On the way back to Brian's Georgia was so tired. She was screaming so Robert gave her, Wally the water bottle, her new favorite toy. Georgia loves Wally and he can make her stop crying. She held on to him for the hour and half ride home.

Sunday we had breakfast with Uncle Brian and Keeley. They live in such a cool place that you can walk to meals and shopping. We walked to a cute little diner for brunch.

Georgia, Brian, and Keeley.

Thank you for opening your home to us and making so much time for us. We loved seeing y'all and spending so much specail time

Sunday was our last day before we headed back down to L.A. to leave. Robert really wanted to see the Golden Gate bridge, so we drove back into the city to see if it was clear enough. It was!!!!

Robert finally got his picture with the bridge

One of the cool things that we saw in the city was its garbage system.

On the far left is the compost can, then the recycling. The small one on the right is the trash.

They even had it out at restaurants.

recycle, compost, landfill

Blakeley these pictures are for you!

The last day of our trip was in L.A. Robert really wanted to go to Pinks and get a hot dog. We waited about an hour. It was ok.

The flight home went well and was much better to have Robert's help. It is hard enough to use the bathroom on an airplane, try using it holding a baby.

Jack and Georgia talking

Silly morning

Usually the mornings are our best time. I am usually busy running all over town or working out, but I love to just stay home and play with Georgia Grace. This particular morning I decided to take some funny pictures. I think every parent puts their kid in a diapers box, not original, but cute.

Say cheese!! I love how she looks like she is posing. She is going to be all ready for her school picture.

Again with the posing. It is so cute

Remember the movie E.T. when they hide him in all the stuffed animals. My parents did this to me and it is only right that I do it to my child too. Haha can you find Georgia Grace?

We are getting ready for our big trip and are so excited!! We miss Robert/Daddy and can't wait to go see him!!!

High School Reunion

Last weekend I had my 10 year high school reunion. I can't believe that it has been 10 years, but it has been a great 10 years. I have kept many wonderful friendships over the years, met many more wonderful friends. met and married my best friend, had a beautiful baby girl, loved and laughed a lot. God is so great and has blessed me so much during my life. I was really looking forward to the reunion. Robert did not want to go because he says every time we go back to Brentwood it is a reunion anyways. I was excited to see all the people that I had lost touch with over the years. For most people it wasn't as exciting because they have kept in touch with (stalked) people of facebook. I rarely get on, so I don't know many people's updates. Friday night some of us went to a friends house and had a warm up reunion. It was fun to hang out and look at year books trying to remember people. I am so glad that we did that because I barely talked to my friends at the reunion. My friends also informed me that I had to get a better dress than the one I was going to wear, so Robert and I went shopping on Saturday. We also relaxed (Robert slept, I couldn't because someone has to feed Georgia) since we didn't get home until 2 from Sarah's house. I am just not used to staying out that late anymore. Bedtime comes early around the McInnis house.
Saturday was a big day for Georgia Grace because she got to meet her Mimi (my grandmother) for the first time. This was very special for me. I love my grandmother sooooo much and it meant a lot to me that she got to hold Georgia. She just moved to Nashville so she will hopefully get to see Georgia Grace a lot more.
Saturday night rolled around and I started to get nervous. Robert was laughing at me and the way I was acting, getting excited to see people. We were one of the first people there, no surprise since I hate being late. I had fun talking to people I hadn't seen in 10 years and hearing about their lives. Most of the people that came live in the Nashville area. It is amazing how many people from my graduating class married each other. I did not take many pictures :( but here are a few. They are in the wrong order too, sorry.

Robert, me, Phillip, and Taylor

Phillip and I have known each other for 23 years and always lived 2 streets away (Aubrie too). We all carpooled to kindergarten.
Lindsay, Sarah, and me
Lindsay is moving to Paris in a few weeks, how exciting and Sarah is pregnant with her second.

Jenna, Mary, and me

Mary just got married and moved to Miami.

Jenna, I luckily get to see when I go home. I love living close to home and getting to see friends.

Me, Sarah, Sarah, Meagan, and Aubrie

Me and my wonderful husband. Thank you for going with me and being such a good sport spending the evening with people you don't know and making small talk.
They only had name tags for the people I went to school with. Robert went and made a name tag for himself. A girl, who had a little too much to drink, came up to him, put her arm around him and said, "Robert Mcinnis, I don't remember you". It was a fun night.

Georgia Grace and Mimi

Lindsay finally got to meet Georgia

Meagan finally got to meet Georgia too

I had so much fun last weekend. Thanks for a great reunion class of 2001!!!!

Potty Time

My friend Blakeley is the one that got me into doing cloth diapers. One of the main reasons I wanted to do them is because I saw her son using the potty at 7 months old. I thought if she did that then I could do it too and have less time using diapers. Well it has worked!! Georgia will go potty when you put her on the potty. No, she can not hold her bladder yet, but she knows what to do when she is placed on there. I do not have to change many poop diapers. This will just help the process for when we really start training her. She will be used to it.

Now this is a video of her going pee in the toilet. I took it to prove to people that didn't believe me. We have been doing this since she was 5 months old. Hopefully we will be able to continue this until she is fully potty trained

Dog for sale

Any one want a dog? jk, I am not really giving her away yet. We may have to if the vets can't figure out the problem with her. The past few days have just been awful for me and Zoey. It has been so hot here (101) that Zoey can't go outside and play. She has so much energy that she needs to get out and it has been coming out in bad behaviors and annoying me. She threw up on my nice rug, peed at least 4 times in one day in the house(part of the issue with her), ate a baby bird, got bad diarrhea because she ate the bird and pooped in the house, on the rug, in her kennel, and tore a paper towel roll to pieces. I am so sick of this dog right now. I wish I could put her in time out. She knows what she is doing, but she is so stubborn that I am having a hard time correcting her. Normally, Zoey is such a great dog. Right now I just need a break.
So after I wrote this Zoey again brought what I thought was a baby bird up on the deck. I ran out and she actually came towards me this time. I saw it and it was a baby mole. It was still alive and moving in her mouth. She would not drop it. I had to get a rock and pry it out of her mouth. Now the poor thing is lying on my deck. I need Robert so bad and he is already in California :( Help!!!
After talking with a friend I am pretty sure it is actually a baby opossum. I think they fell out of the mom's sack somehow. It is still creeping me out and I am afraid to let Zoey outside.