Birthday weekend surprise!

Last year Logan gave me a fun and sparkly night on the town in Portland for my birthday. This year he wouldn't tell me where we were going until we were headed there. I like surprises :)

The mystery destination was none other than
SEASIDE!!

Our visit was slightly less sunny than this postcard,
as you tend to get in November.

The biggest (and really the only) bummer of the trip was that I forgot my camera. Fortunately my dad helped me find out that my camera phone actually has a decent setting on it! I didn't get a lot of photos and I wasn't sure how the pics would turn out since the screen is so small so I wasn't sure any would be good. I was pleasantly surprised at how they turned out and I'm happy to have some photographic memories to go with my real ones :)

We arrived at lunchtime and stopped at a cozy and casual restaurant called Norma's. Which was fantastic!! We will definitely go back if we get the chance! The apple cider was as lovely as the table with its copper top and fall decorations :)

The view from our room (quite stormy and cold). The waves looked amazing!

Our room, with a fireplace and jacuzzi! Oh yes, a jacuzzi :D

This looks black and white but it wasn't meant to be. I still like it :)

I was hard to get the camera to balance between dark and light. Which forced/inspired a bit of creativity with sunset shots :)

Finally a bit of nice weather but still breezy and cold so this is again from the hotel room.

23 weeks pregnant, 24 years old, standing in an empty jacuzzi... sounds about right eh? ;)

What can I say about my man? He is beyond wonderful and handsome to boot!
A girl couldn't ask for more!

The lovely decor at the PigN'Pancake where we shared a suitably seafood-y breakfast of eggs benedict with crab instead of ham. Delicious!

My last "view" shot from the promenade

It was such a great weekend, a wonderful ending to my "birthday week" I feel suitably spoiled. Haha just kidding! I really feel very blessed and happy :D
Good job everyone who knew for keeping it a secret!!

Two!!

Our little man just got officially bigger! Rowan Charles Newton is TWO YEARS OLD TODAY!! :D
Just for fun here's a little comparison of 2008 and 2009 :)

2008

2009

One year old Ewok, because I'm a Star Wars nerd


Two year old puppy dog because this year he really likes a certain book called "Snuggle Puppy".





One year old attempting to stab a blueberry






Two year old successfully stabbing multiple pieces of pancake. I believe his max was 3 which was about double what looked like should fit in his mouth ;)





One year old chillin with his soccer ball



Two year old gettin ready to ride down a ramp of pallets on his plastic tricycle with his new pads (Thanks godparents! :D)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROWIE!!

We got off to a bit of an early start because of daylight savings so Rowan came and hung out in our bed watching cartoons for a while. After everyone was up we went out to breakfast at the Shipwreck Cafe where we strategically opened the first gift, a viewmaster. Afterward we came home and opened most of his other presents and played a bit before a nap.


He didn't open all his other gifts before his nap because he was too enamored with all the balloons we'd blown up for him. If one even moved in his peripheral vision he'd be up and after it in a flash! A lot of kids seem to enjoy gift boxes more than their gifts, it seems ours is all about the decorations ;)

Trying to blow up a balloon but only getting it very wet and slobbery :P


Sporting his new sweater from Gremmy :)

After a good rest we headed out again for a late lunch/early dinner at Red Robin. I was bummed that the little arcade they have was full when we wanted to play and empty when it was time to eat :P oh well. We wore hats, Rowan had a smoothie and a bit of spaghetti, he got two balloons, and a small sundae!

There were a couple things we didn't do that I kinda wanted to cause I'm quite pregnant, a little bit crazy, and not a good planner this time around. But at the end of the day I find myself taking stock and counting my blessings. One year later our Rowan is bigger, faster, funnier, more opinionated, louder, and talks a LOT more. I'm so happy and thankful that the Lord blessed us with this little boy!

We could never ask for more and yet as I type I'm being reminded with kicks and squirms that before long we're going to get it. I know Rowan will be a good big brother and I'm excited for our family to expand but I have loved and treasured these two years we've gotten to have with just Rowan. I love my lil' bubby more than I can say and even though we're getting a taste of those terrible twos and it may be a challenge at times to have such a boy I wouldn't trade him for anything :)