Myrtle Beach Spring Rally 2007

Ava and Gabriel
Originally uploaded by xosunnydaysxo.

I was definitely due for some vacay time. Anna flew up from Georgia with her daughter, Ava, to join me and Kevin at Myrtle Beach's 2007 Bike Rally. Her husband, Chris, trailered their bike, and wouldn't be in til later that evening.

It's been awhile since Gabriel and Ava since last saw each other, so we spent the afternoon allowing the kids to socialize and have a little playdate.

Gabriel's been sick with a fever, and had barely eaten all week, so I took him into the doctor. It seems his cold had given him a double ear infection, and he was promptly put onto some antibiotics. Despite his feeling crappy, he socialized a little bit, but was clingy and whiny for the most part. Poor thing, no wonder he hasn't been eating. I had no idea he had an ear infection-I'm glad I brought him in!

Later that evening, Anna and I left the kids at our parents' and headed downtown for a girls' night out. It was a pretty kicked back evening of catching up, eating, and cocktails. I'd stayed out a little later than I'd intended, and didn't get home til 2 a.m. Luckily, Kevin had already picked the baby up, and they were both soundly tucked into bed. It didn't take long before I was right there too. Until, 5:30 rolled around...

The next day, we all met up with Ron and his girlfriend, Becky, to head off to Myrtle Beach. The weather was unusually cool, but this was also the first year we didn't get rained on.

Our first night there, was extremely low key. We had a bit of a late start and only had time to eat dinner and grab a drink. We checked into our rooms and I planned on a quick power nap to rejuvinate myself for a night out. So, at 8 p.m. I laid down, and caught a couple of zzz's...like til 8:30 a.m. the next morning. Doh! There goes one of our two nights in Myrtle Beach!

Here's a picture of me the next morning, refreshed, and ready to start our day.

The day mostly consisted of riding, shopping, walking around, eating, and drinking of course. I've been wanting to visit this restaurant for awhile now, called Dicks' Last Resort. It's pretty cool...sorta. Pretty much, it's a restaurant where people are rude to you and put hats on unsuspecting patrons with crude insults. Ron was the lucky winner of being picked on by our waitress this time. Our waitress was particularly a smartass, but it was all in fun. She had us all laughing with her shitty service. I can't believe we paid for this. If you're offended easily, this isn't the place for you to go. Before we left, she even counted out our bill in front of us and called us cheapasses for not leaving her a big enough tip. After demanding $20 more, Ron's friend, Andy gave in and coughed up the extra moola.

You can't go to Bike Week without getting a tattoo or piercing! I opted to get my navel repierced, since I had to take it out during my pregnancy.

Here's a cool bike that Anna I spotted. It's got a leather Louis Vuitton seat on it! Yeah, I can see myself on this one...

Finally, our ride home was absolutely perfect. The sun was shining, and the weather had warmed. I was quite anxious to get back to Gabriel. Apparently, Gabriel had a little surprise waiting for me. Once I got home, he greeted me by walking up to me!! Yay!!

A great weekend with a perfect ending. Thanks, Anna and Chris for making the trek to hang! It was a good time! Maui?

New Haircut

Oh, by the way...I forgot to mention that I cut my hair. Big time. My hair has been long for the past 7 years, but this was the longest it's ever been-to my waist! I've been considering getting a cut.

I think I like it, and may very well keep it short for awhile. Gotta shake things up a bit! Change is good!!

Here's a little hint:

If you tell me I can't...I will. And even shorter than I'd intended on purpose...because I can.

Here's what it looks like. And here's me working oh-so-hard at my new job.

I Love You

I've found the love of my life! Isn't he cute?!

My baby's sick too. I think he has a cold and I believe his low-grade temp is from some new canines he's working on. I think his 4th molar is on its way out as well. He's not really eaten the past 3 days, and he's very clingy and grouchy. Poor thing...I hope he feels better before I leave out of town.

Mother's Day

Well, here it is...another Mother's Day. I can't say that it was anything "spectacular." I was hoping I would be able to sleep in and be spoiled by Kevin taking care of the baby this morning, but I wasn't. I went through my routine of getting up with Gabriel and giving him breakfast, changing his clothes, playing with him...I had a ton to do today. I thought maybe Kevin would watch him so I could run errands. Nope, Gabriel was getting tired, and Kevin doesn't know how to get him to nap, so I had to put him to sleep. By the time he awoke, I still hadn't gotten ready, then it was time for lunch, then it was time to get ready for the in-laws' cookout.

Holy crap, it's Mother's Day and Kevin's back is hurting. So, my meal was abruptly cut short because my toddler is all over the house and his dad can't keep up. I'm exhausted, and frustrated, and disappointed. But on my way home from visiting his Lolo and Lola, he's asleep in the backseat.

I look back at him and sigh. My God, I can't believe how absolutely beautiful my child is. I am so crazy in love with this little guy, and it dawns on me, that there is nothing disappointing about today. I didn't get a clean house, or a day of luxury, but sleeping quietly in the backseat is my gift. For being a mom, I've had my reward all along.

(now, if I can just resist putting him in the bed with me...)