Corey and I were so lucky to have our brother, sister-in-law and little niece join us for the first time in San Diego. It was a reunion and a new meet-and-greet all in one. Corey and Nella got to check each other out for the first time... and Matt, Janelle and Nella got to meet their newest family member-- Clay. And if Clay could talk he would tell Nella, "This week will be so much fun! Oh the places we will go!"
And that is an understatement. With four full days we had a jam packed San Diego Sightseeing schedule mixed in with nap schedules, feeding schedules and bathtimes. It would be complicated (but not as complicated as getting us all out and back in the SUV-- what a sight that is not to mention a 10 minute ordeal each and every time.)
After the first morning came Christmas (a little late but... oh so perfect...) where Clay and Nella got spoiled to pieces with new clothes, books, toys and so much more. (And wouldn't you know... from 2000 miles of separation, Janelle and I happened to find the exact same kiddie photo album for the kids. Talk about two peas in a pod!) And with that, first up on the day's agenda... the San Diego Zoo. A must-see if you ask Corey and I. We arrive with fresh eyes and huge smiles-- Matt, Janelle & Nella filled with excitement to see the zoo and Corey and I because we are here on a weekday and we know we will have the zoo to ourselves. And what a day it was! Janelle and I loved watching these two daddies (which, by the way, look and act exactly alike) pushing these strollers and carrying these babies all over the place! Nella loved all the animals and by the end she was making as many sounds as they were-- couldn't contain her enthusiasm.
Another favorite day was a Saturday spent in Coronado. Joined by my brother (and having to take two cars since ours was maxed out with baby), we started at the backside eating pizza at our favorite: Village Pizzeria. We had pizzas and salads as Nella noshed on green beans and apricots. Yum! We headed down Orange Street (stopping to get ice cream and milkshakes, of course) all the way to the beach and ended up at the Hotel del of Coronado. We walked around and got a taste of what it would be like to actually be a guest at the hotel. We strolled down by the beach and like the hillbillies we are, locked our strollers to the garbage can with a bike lock so we could take a walk in the sand. With babies in carriers, we soaked up the beautiful California sunshine as Janelle dipped little Nella's toes in the ocean for the first time. She sat her in the sand and Nella just squealed with excitement! Nella-- you are a beach girl through and through! You loved it!! Clay cried a bit, but daddy fed him and he was back to dreamland in no time. A stop at Cabrillo's Monument overlooking downtown rounded out an amazing day.
And then it was Sunday... The Bears Game dominated all of the planning for this day. We headed over to my brother's place to watch the game as the boys whooped and hollered when the Bears easily won the game. The ladies went out by the pool where Clay napped in the shade and Nella tried out swimming for the first time. I couldn't help but giggle as I saw Nella-- the cutest thing ever in the cutest thing ever-- a tiny-weeny, yellow polka-dot bikini! Matt wasn't thrilled that she was already bikini-clad, but we ladies understand! When you got, you got it! Anyhow, Nella took to the water just as she took to the beach. What a natural she was! Oh... she just loved it! That night we hit the cove in La Jolla right at dusk. The sky was bright oranges and purples as the sun set over the crashing waves. We treated ourselves to a lovely dinner at Trattoria Aqua sitting outside under the stars in a romantically lit courtyard. And by treating ourselves... we included dessert... just because we were celebrating our time together. It was the perfect ending to a perfect trip.
And the moments are now memories and we have hundreds of photographs to relive those memories. But some of my highlights were in the little moments that were special... just because. Nella doing a once over on Clay wondering about her little cousin. Watching the boys laugh hysterically at something only they would find funny. Listening to Nella as she babbles her little love language. Catching glimpses of Janelle loving on little Clay and snuggling him so. I loved every minute of it-- all except for the goodbye.
And that was the hard part. Next time we see Nella it will be for her one year birthday and Clay will be five months old. We are already looking forward to it :)
~Leslie
I miss you all so much! We so ENJOYED being with you all! I wanted to soak in every moment and I just drink in Clay's sweetness.....I miss snuggling with my little man! I miss that sweet face of his!!! Nella was thrilled to be with you and thank you for all the life moments you gave us and her...going to the beach, the amazing zoo, being in the pool, everything was unbelievable! My favorite moments were watching Cor interact with Nella and seeing the huge grin on his face. I loved watching little Clay sleep and do side smiles and Elvis faces. And when his precious eyes were open I loved singing to him and seeing him look up at me! He is just precious! We loved watching Nella at the zoo with all the animals and her insanely loud talking about everything she saw. Being on the beach with the peaceful waves and seeing our girl step on the beach and wanting to go right into the water will forever be in my memory! And just being with you...just having our talks and watching you with Clay was mesmerizing! I love how in love you both are and how you love on him! The whole trip was the bee's knees!!!! lol :)
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