Parenting 'Right Of Passage', Perhaps?

Yesterday Rhys was not himself. He had a terrible night's sleep and was grumpy all day. Runny nose, bum rash and general malaise with an ample amount of whining. Let me tell you, nothing makes me appreciate his easy going self than when it's gone. I could see his 2 top front teeth pushing their way through the gums, so we figure he was teething. Some baby Tylenol helped him have a 2.5 hour nap in the afternoon, which was glorious. The cherry flavoured medicine used to go down easily, but this time he winced and scrunched his nose at the taste, but he took the full dose.

Now, jump ahead to bedtime, when Gramma Patsy was over and Warren & I were getting all dolled up for a fancy romantic dinner at 'Rush' restaurant downtown to properly celebrate our anniversary. I was in my bathrobe, had just finished bathing Rhys, and had him all snuggled in his jimjams. Time to give him a nighttime dose of the cherry flavoured medicine that we hoped would help him sleep better and get the rest he needed. He winced and scrunched and turned his head and even gagged a little at the taste. But I persisted. Then, IT happened. Projectile Vomit. All over my baby. All over my bath robe. All over Gramma Patsy's arm. All over the carpet. Splatter on the bedding. Later, when I picked up the medicine bottle, it was also dripping vomit. My poor little man. I felt so responsible, because I was forcing him to swallow something he didn't like. It was clearly a gag-reflex reaction. Warren came to our rescue to help clean up the mess, and I was just thankful he wasn't there to witness it happen. He would have freaked out and insisted we go to Emergency at the hospital. It was exorcist-like.

So, son's projectile vomit all over the place while getting ready to go out. I think this means I have 'earned' my first parenting badge. Kind of like they do in Beavers and Brownies. I can sew that onto my Mama Sash and wear it proudly.

I'm VERY pleased to announced that, even though he needed more care & love from Gramma Patsy than usual while we were out, he woke up in a delightful mood this morning, runny nose gone, bum rash gone, and those little white 'Satan's Kernels' poking through a bit more. Maybe he'll have some adorable buck teeth in time for his birthday. Perfect for chomping down on birthday cake.

In the end, we were able to dress ourselves and have a delicious meal, just the two of us.

Impossible.

Photo Booth, April 5th, 2010: On the way out the door to Gramma Patsy's for our second Easter dinner.

I can never get this kid to smile for the Mac Photo Booth camera. BTW, I have no idea why the pics are all backward - is it a mirror image? The opposite of a mirror image? Why is it different than a regular camera? These are mysteries of the Universe I cannot answer.

50 ounces

I checked my water bottle yesterday, and it holds 25 fluid ounces. Which means two bottles a day equals 50 fluid ounces. I thought this was excessive, but a quick Google search determined that I should drink 64-89 ounces of water a day. For now, I'm stickin' with 50.

Photo Booth, April 2nd 2010: Rhys with his Easter stuffies from Nana & Gramma Patsy.

A Letter

Dear Mom Lady Who Left The Annoying Message On My Phone,

I am sorry you found the post about my cupboards boring. I didn't get the memo that you are now the Content Editor for my blog. I know it would make you happy if I changed the name of my blog to 'Photos & Video Of Rhys And Nothing Else', but that isn't going to happen.

Sure, I get that not everyone is as excited about my cupboards as myself, but this is my blog.

Anyway...here is your fix.

Mr. Serious, in his dabber 't-shirt over shirt' ensemble:

Sir Eats-A-Lot stuffing his face:

Look, I can stand up like a big boy! :

Hmmm....maybe these sleepers don't fit anymore... :

Hangin' with Crazy Uncle Adam:

Sincerely,

Amanda Cronin

Owner, Writer, Editor, Operator & Overall President of Everything

Cronin Chronicles

P.S. I love you ;-P

For Gramma Patsy

My mom hasn't seen Rhys for a week now, and she's going through some major Rhys withdrawal. She's sick with a really bad head cold, so in lieu of a visit, Rhys wanted to make a video for her.

This video is intended for Gramma Patsy's enjoyment, but it also showcases the New Improved Cuteness that we like to call: Rhys SITTING.

Rhys, 7 months old:

If the video looks cut off (is supposed to be widescreen, click here: RhysHiGramma

McDicken

I am amazed that I can be on one of the most secluded islands in the world, and still have internet access. Seriously, the Hawaiian Islands are in the MIDDLE of the ocean, not just a few miles off shore. We're halfway to China out here!

Some pics from day 10 of our trip...

Rhys, having a party in his stroller, laughing at nothing. Sometimes I think he knows something we all do not:

Random stroller cuteness that shows off his big eyes:

If Rhys could talk, he'd be saying "Kay, Mama. I'm done with all these adventures. A baby can only handle so much!":

I'm posting this pic for Warren. He really likes this photo of me, and he was very proud of the exposure in it - he thought it was the perfect light:

At the end of day, before dropping off Gramma Patsy at the airport, we stumbled into the AIO valley and caught the sunset, which brings us to Resolution Pic #10:

The title of this post, "McDicken" is an inside joke between Warren & I. You kinda had to be there. As we were driving along the highway we saw a chicken in the ditch beside the road.

Amanda: Hey look, there's a chicken in the ditch!

Warren: It must be a Ditch Chicken.

Amanda: Or, you could call it a Dicken!

Warren: Mmmm...I'm in the mood for a Dicken sandwich.

Amanda: A McDicken sandwich?

See? You had to be there.

The Sea Was Angry That Day, My Friends

Our visit to Maui landed smack dab in the middle of the whale season, and we're told this is one of the best whale seasons in decades. Knowing this, a whale watching boat ride was at the top of our list of things we wanted to do while we were here. Originally we planned to go separately - my mom & I on one trip, and Warren, Rob & Tiff on another. But when we were booking it the guy told us that people bring kids on board all the time so we were extra excited knowing we'd all be going together.

We had it planned to a tee. Warren would carry Rhys on his back in the Baby Hawk carrier. I would be on video camera duty, and Warren would have the zoom lens, ready to capture the money shot of a breach whale. We made sure to have all our equipment charged up to the max the night before. We were set.

Once we finally got Rhys into the Baby Hawk (it's a bit of an art form to put that thing on, and we're not very practiced at it) he fell asleep:

As we boarded, a crew member snapped a souvenir photo of our little group. This photo captured our excitement for the adventure ahead:

Once the boat left shore, things began to sour. First, the captain announced over the loud speaker that anyone with children had to remain seated, holding the child. What?! We didn't know what the rules were for the baby carrier so Warren stood up to ask a crew member. As soon as he stood up and realised how unsteady he was walking, he knew the answer before he asked. It was totally unsafe to walk around the boat with a baby, even if he's attached securely to you. So our plan was to find a safe seat on the upper, open-air deck and take turns holding Rhys while the other stood up to look for whales and take photos. 45 seconds up there and I began to feel 'off'. So back down to the lower 'inside' deck we went. And there is where it hit me full force. SEA SICKNESS. And we'd only been on the water for 5 minutes. This was a 2 hour whale watching tour. Warren said the colour left my face and looked drunk. A crew member approached me and asked me if I was feeling alright. 'Not really' I replied. 'I didn't think so' she said. So she suggested I go to the back of the boat, stare at the land mass and she brought me some ginger ale:

My sickness got to the point where I could barely look up. I was sitting at a table with my face in my arms, focusing on breathing deeply. I couldn't have cared less about seeing a stupid whale, at that point. I just wanted to be back on land. So, Warren sat across from me, holding Rhys, watching me deteriorate and listening to the tour guide describe the beautiful mom and calve who where swimming around the bow of the boat, not being able to snap a single photo (or watch it at all for that matter).

We looked around and my mom was dry heaving out the window, and Rob was sitting with the his head between his knees. The only one enjoying the trip was Tiffany, who is very intelligent and took Gravol before we left!

SO, whale watching was a complete BUST. We laughed about it afterwards. Warren thought the entire situation was pure comedy and he kept saying 'this will be great for your blog!'. I suppose there is that.

Later on we found a secluded beach and went for a quick walk (that is where we took the family portrait).


And another Gramma Patsy outtake...Rhys spitting up and her looking a little grossed out at the whole thing:

We're all hoping today pans out a bit better!

Worst. Family Portrait. Ever.

For some reason my 'family picture' resolution is very hard to keep! Today we had big plans for the photo, then time got away from us and it never happened. Minutes after putting Rhys to bed I realized we hadn't taken a family portrait at all today. So we ran upstairs and snapped a self portrait into Rhys' crib (sorry little man!). I couldn't figure out which of these terrible photos was the 'better' one, so I'm posting both. Rhys is barely visible in both of them. Either my hair is covering his face, or his Paddington bear mobile is...

This morning we took some photos of Rhys in his Hawaiian outfit.

Then, an outtake...Gramma Patsy 'spitting' at Rhys (in an attempt to make him laugh or smile), and him looking...happy about it:

Finally! Pictures of the Sea Turtles at our condos:



More fun with the wide angle lens:

To top of this post, Gramma Patsy got this great shot of Rhys smiling in his sleep. I wonder what he's dreaming about? :

Lucky Sparrow

My mom (Gramma Patsy) is on this trip with us, and she noticed that there are a lot of sparrows living here. Sitting on the deck, she said "Boy, if I were a sparrow, I would much rather be born in Hawaii than in Calgary!'. Now, whenever a sparrow lands on our deck to eat our crumbs, she whispers 'lucky sparrow'. She now tells Rhys he is a 'lucky sparrow', too.

Okay...some pics from Day 6...

The view from our 'Lanai' (you can see my feet resting on the deck rail in the bottom left corner):

Whale watching from our deck, taken with the zoom lens:

We went onto the rocky shore (just outside our room) this morning, because we were told you can see Sea Turtles. It was such a challenge to find them! No pics of the turtles themselves, but lots of Warren looking for them! Rhys is in the Baby Hawk (we didn't buy a new carrier...):

Beauty shot of mom & I:

Took a long drive up to the Lavender Gardens, on the side of the island volcano, which brings us to Resolution Photo, Day 6:

Even amongst all the excitement, babies need to be fed:

It was a sleepy ride home:

Then, watching the sun set at 6:15pm...a ritual we do every night here. It looks different every time:

We brought along Rhys' 'Gro Egg' room thermometer so we would know how hot it was where he was sleeping. The thermometer was very 'unhappy' tonight (28 degrees Celsius is in the DANGER ZONE!):

Birthday Recap

I didn't do the best job getting appropriate pictures from my birthday celebrations, but I'll post what I do have.

First, dinner at my mother-in-laws, with my mom, Warren, Father-in-law and Rhys last Wednesday. A pic of me & Rhys with my Marble Slab 'Oreo' birthday cake:

Then (the well documented in photos) Ladies Night at Theresa's on Friday.

I was greeted with '30th Birthday Party in Progress' yellow tape covering the front door:

Turns out, I'm a total HAM (who knew?!)...

Wearing my 'Never Grow Up Gangsta' necklace:

30 candle with homemade cupcakes! :

What, I have to share these? :

I'm trying to remember what we were laughing about?! :

Oh, the masks. Don't ask :

Opening Prezzies:

Ya, little buddy. That's how a felt at the end of the night, too:

(Editor's note: CUDOS to Keri for coming to girl's night with her little 7 week old and staying past midnight!!! Seriously! You are a better friend that I!!!).

Then, on Saturday, we went our for dinner with some more great friends. HOWEVER, I completely forgot to have the waiter photograph us all at the table. So all I have from the night is a lame self portrait I took before we left:

If nothing else, I figure that pic will come in handy to analyze any new wrinkles/chins that may crop up over the years...

Lastly, brunch at my dad's house on Sunday. Didn't take the pics I should of, but here's my dad feeding a very grumpy grandson:

Thank-you Family & Friends for treating me to a such a special 30th birthday. You all rock.