Clearwater Beach, FL

Me and Dal just got back from our first trip without Brew, and let me tell you, it was SO nice to sleep in, eat without fighting him to stay in his chair, and not be putting him in a car seat constantly, but man I missed that boy.  I don't know how parents leave their kids very often, cause all we did was say, "Brew would love this" to everything we saw haha. But it really was so nice to go without him and get to relax a little.

So we had flights we needed to use and we did a little research and decided to go to Clearwater Beach outside of Tampa.  Everything I read raved about it and it did not disappoint! We will for sure go back. It was the funnest trip either of us had been on, alone or together.  The water was warm, clear, and the beaches were the whitest, best sand I had ever seen.  A bunch of the locals said it was a pretty unknown vacation spot, which is crazy cause it was seriously so cool.  I kinda expected it to be like California or Mexico but honestly,  SO much better.

We took a red eye flight there and couldn't check into our hotel until 11 so we went straight to the beach and this is what we pulled up to at 6 am. Perfect weather and like no one there.  We were exhausted and ended up sleeping on the beach chairs and it was awesome ha. 

Dal was in the water within minutes of getting there.

This is Pier 60.  Looking off the edge of this there were TONS of sting rays. Like seriously everywhere.  Apparently it's breeding season there since the water is so warm they just come and hang out in the shallows. They tell you to do the "stingray shuffle" to scare them away.  Totally works.

I think this was from St Pete Beach one evening.  This beach was less crowded and more chillaxed.  

Cutest little hotel on the water on the bay side. Totally want to stay there next time.

Selfie it up.  My hair looked like this the entire trip because it was so humid.  A black lady informed me that "this ain't nothin girl" haha.

He wasn't too pumped on the picture taking.

One of my favorite beaches.  We spent most of our days at this beach people watching ha.  It's amazing how confident everyone is, you can be pushing 300 pounds and still be wearing your thong bikini here ha I saw wayyyyy too much of some people lol.

Waiting for our boat to Caladesi Island.  Hands down our favorite place.  We made sure to take the first boat out there (it's an uninhabited private island) and we were the first people on the beach.  Literally alone on miles of white sandy beaches.

First thing I saw when I got off the boat, and Dal talked me out of bringing it home:(

This pic does not do these shells justice.  They are pretty dang big and they were everywhere! We spent hours looking for shells, so fun.  I knew Brew wouldn't give a crap about one so I made sure to get some for Bryir.  

That shows a little better how big they were.

Literally alone on this island, so cool.

Gulf of Mexico 

Red Sox vs Rays at Tropicana Field

Dal has been obsessed with the Red Sox his whole life and has never seen them play.  He was seriously in heaven.  It was a way fun game and I have even been pretty into the Red Sox the last couple years so we had fun, definitely the highlight of his trip. 

This was the flight home.  The little strips of island was where we were.

For picking a random place that no one we knew had ever been to, I was so impressed by it.  There was so much we didn't get to do so we will go back again.  Thanks to Russ and Liz for watching Brew boy for us!

Playing Catch-up

I'm the worst, I haven't blogged since Brew turned one and now hes almost 16 months old, so it's about time I wrote down a few things he's up to now days.

He is the craziest, and by that I mean that he does not want to sit still for 2 seconds.  At church other kids sit and play with toys or color, and Brew runs absolutely everywhere and keeps everyone in the ward entertained.  

He is all about hauling every toy out of the toy room and throwing it downstairs. He seriously thinks it's the funnest game.  The bigger the toy, the louder noises it makes falling down the stairs, and the cooler he thinks it is.

He started walking really well around 14 months and it has made his whole life.  He is sooo much happier. His "run" is more like a fast walk, but he loves when you tell him to hurry or hustle.

He brings me things all day long, and won't put it down unless I thank him for whatever be brought me.  His favorites are books, cars, my rugs or anything from the kitchen or bathroom.

He's still the biggest climber.  He still climbs his crib daily, plus I found him on my dining room table and straddling his baby gate downstairs. 

He's starting to talk more and more, but still doesn't really care to at the same time.  He says, mom, dad, Aysia, Cheyna (chey-na-na), moo, outside (ahhTide), and again (ani). He jabbers all day long but I can't understand most of it.

He's the naughtiest boy, but so sweet too.  He blantantly ignores me telling him no,mouth then will come and give me the biggest kiss ever. 

He loves to swim, swing, slide, "play basketball" with dal, read books, and play cars.

He is an ok sleeper, nights are good, from 7-7 usually, with one 1-2 hour is all. 

He wears mostly 24 month clothes and is still pretty big.  

He loves to play with his friends here and him and Crew are starting to chase each other and really play, it's so cute.

He wants me to see whatever he's doing all day by taking me around the house or bringing me things. I can't even go to the bathroom alone or shower, so I don't get too much done during he day. He has to see whatever is in the kitchen aid or microwave if they're going.  He also super loves the broom and vacuum.

He is a good eater if I feed him, but if I make him feed himself he chucks the plate and drink on the ground after about 2 bites and climbs out of the high chair.  The other day I walked in on him standing on his high chair tray balancing, but about to fall. I came in right in time.

Peek a boo is still his favorite thing. He will hide so quiet and so still until I find him.  We get into some pretty serious hide and seek games.

He does "somersaults", kicks his legs, jumps, claps,and waves if you ask him to (usually).

Loves to shake his head no at me all day long.  He also recently started "blinking" when I tell him to and it's hilarious.

One year pics

He was so proud of himself here.  He would bring the bumbo wherever the table toy was so that he could sit in it and be lazy while he played.

Just enjoying a little whip cream one day.  Mom of the year, right here.

Every time he goes to the grocery store they give him a sucker, which he loves.

Best purchase ever.  This slide gets used so much.

He loves his shows, and the tonka truck my parents got him.

This is how we grocery shop now.  I'm not allowed to help push the cart.

One day he decided this is his favorite blanket, expand ever since he takes it everywhere.

If you tell him to swim, he get son his belly and kicks his little legs.

If I ever can't find him, chances are his door is shut to his room and he's chillin in his chair.

He was so proud of himself for bringing his chair from his room and used it to watch tv on.

Loves his tools

Loves to help sweep.

This age is so fun and Brew is learning so much and being so funny every day.  Right this minute he's walking around with his blanket over his face laughing his head off. Crazy boy!

Month 12

I feel like Brew is a toddler all of a sudden.  A big, non walking, toddler haha. Everyone says they're so sad when their babies grow up, but I love it. I love that he's learning new things and really figuring things out for himself. He's actually a lot more cuddly now than he was when he was younger. He basically wants to sit on my lap wherever I am, all day long.nimlove it, until it's 3 and nothing has gotten done ha.

This month he:

Is 22 lbs and 10 oz (70%) and 31 inches tall (97%)

Seriously wants to sit on my lap for half of the day.  Yesterday I fed him breakfast, and I know he was full, but when I sat down to eat my own, he weaseled his way onto my lap and ate most of my cereal ha it's all day every day.  If he watches a show he has to have me right there watching too.

Loves having a blanket or towel wrapped around him.  He's been that way for awhile but he's getting to where he thinks it's the coolest thing. He now gets out of the bath with a little help, and sits there and reaches for the towel and gets so pumped when he sees me get it down.  In the mornings we wrap up in a blanket while he drinks his milk and he just loves it.

Likes pretty much every food, and is getting so much better at feeding himself. His favorite foods are yogurt, fruit, and anything with cheese.

Not walking yet, but is very good and pulling himself up and leaning on anything he can find. He makes his way around any room by holding onto the furniture or the wall. He can stand balanced by himself,mouth is scared to do it very often. In the pool he dares do it way more than at home.

He is the official garage door opener and closer. Dallan closed the door once and Brew thought his life was over. 

Loves to drink from a real cup, but still no straw. 

Says "mama" and "dad" and sometimes I think I hear other words but other times not so much.

Loves to get kisses or give kisses.

Can clap, and do "high in the sky" ( hands over his head), and knock on the door.

Loves to play with a ball or cars.

Size 18-24 month clothes, depending on the brand.

Size 4 diapers.

Can shake his head no and does so too often ha.

Still loves the swing and the slide, and can push himself down to the slide now.

Giving himself kisses

Such a cheeser when he wants to be

Like I said, a cheeser

His new way of going to the store

With Grams

With papa after the football game

At the pumpkin patch which he thought was the coolest thing.  He clapped through the whole hayride.

Bry and Brew's favorite place

sim a for Halloween

His ride from Ginny.  He loves to climb on and this is how he watches his shows.

Loves the selfies

I love this look he has

So pumped on the swings

Loves the cars

In other news, we are closing on our house next week and will move in soon after that,  and we are so dang excited.  I'm so ready for Brew to have a yard to play in and just more room in general. Mica of hat to come!

1st Birthday

We did our own thing up here in Herriman for Brew's first birthday.  He didn't really know what was happening, and daylight savings totally jacked up his naps for the day ha but overall it was really fun and he loved all his presents and cake.

All his loot, thanks everyone!

The cute cake I ordered from the bakery. I was not about too attempt a cute cake, plus, these cakes are soo tasty!

Distracted by the TV while opening presents

Too busy playing to look up

With Dal before church 

This is what we "did" for Brew's bday on Saturday. He had a blast.

Not real sure what to do with this cake haha

He was not very hungry when we did cake, so he didn't end up eating much of it, but today he has chowed it. I love that he is a little toddler now, this age is so fun! I'll post about his stats and everything else after his doc appt tomorrow.