Soccer Success

In the past three years we have strategically avoided bringing Marcus to professional sports. Partly because we figured he was too young to understand or appreciate, partly because I was terrified of how well he would do sitting in a seat for such a long period of time, and partly because I desperately did not want to eat the cost of tickets only for the event to end (for us) as a major flop. 

However, when our friend (hi, Christine!) offered up tickets to see Sporting KC (go team, go!) while being hosted by the LA Galaxy it was just too good to pass up. 

Scott had seen Sporting on one of our trips home, but I had never attended a MLS game. Now was as good a time as any to check it all out with Marcus along for the ride. 

Our friend assured me that she'd gone to the soccer games with her kiddos, and that there was so much going on that the kids were totally into the event. 

So, off we went to cheer on Sporting. 

The stadium was pretty cool, and both my guys seemed pretty impressed by it all.

Our seats were great. I couldn't believe how close to the action we were.

I was totally surprised at how well Marcus sat - especially while waiting for the game to begin. During the game there were drums continuously being played, chants constantly going from the crowd, and an overall sense of excitement everywhere we turned. Marcus was into all of it. 

While I can't promise he paid attention to the game the entire time, I can say he sat still and was captivated the whole time we were there. Not once did I have to pull any thing out of my bag of tricks to keep Marcus entertained and occupied. The game and atmosphere did all the work for me! 

By half time of the game we decided to pack up shop, as it was waaaaay past one little boy's bedtime. But, if I had to guess, I'd say he would have made it to the very end of the game had we stuck around. 

Sadly, when we returned home we discovered Sporting KC had fallen to L.A. Galaxy (2-1), but it sure was fun cheering on our home team, with Marcus, right here in L.A.

Maybe, just maybe, we'll brave it out and try a few more sporting events in the near future. 

Have you ever taken your kiddo(s) to any sporting events? If so, which type of event (soccer, baseball, football, etc.), and how did you fare? 

Happy Marcus Monday!

Tide pool adventures with these tots!

Splishing and splashing. Scooping and smiling.

Beach bummin' babes.

Happy Monday!

Week 24

Hellooooo week 24!

Size of Baby // According to My Pregnancy app, M² is just over 12 inches and tipped the scale just over a pound. In produce terms, she's about the size of an ear of corn.  

Cravings // Just feed me and tell me I'm pretty, mmmkay?

Symptoms // Nothing new. Braxton Hicks. Peeing. Hormones. Yada yada yada. 

Movement // I'm starting to pick up a pattern in her movement. My belly can be seen shifting and moving the most at night, usually between 8 and 10. Early mornings (think 4-5am-ish) I've also noticed all the kicks and jabs. I also think some of what I'm feeling are hiccups. I remember Marcus having hiccups all the time, and I'm beginning to wonder if M² will follow in her big brother's foot steps.

Miss Anything // Just the usual stuff you can't have while pregnant. I'm also beginning to miss getting up out of chairs without a grunt or "oof" escaping my mouth. Our trips to Disney sometimes bum me out a bit, as I can't take Marcus on a few rides that he wants to do (roller coasters and the like). 

Sleep // Meh. Marcus is up a few times, I'm up a few times. Sleep isn't great. I suppose it could be worse.

Clothing // It's maternity from here on out I suspect.  

Best Part of the Week/ Looking Forward To… //
1. M²'s ultrasound last Friday was great. She is growing well and right on track. Everything looks good, and we managed to get a few good black and white pics of her.

We tried the 4D images, but she still doesn't have enough fat on her little face for an image that doesn't look totally alien/skeletal.  

2. This past weekend our friend offered us tickets to the LA Galaxy vs. Sporting KC (Thanks, Christine!). We couldn't pass it up, and we had a fabulous time. I'm planning a bit more extensive post on the game next week at some point.

3. Yesterday we spent another morning at Disneyland. Season passes = best decision ever.

Have a great weekend!!

Yosemite // Babymoon #2

The view shortly after you come into the park.
In the distance you can see Half Dome, right between our heads.

Now that I've gushed about our B&B it's time to talk Yosemite.

We spent almost all of our time in Yosemite Valley, and hiked the trails from the valley on up.
*Fair warning: I took hundreds of photos on this trip, and choosing which to use was so dang hard! This post is insanely picture heavy. Consider yourself warned. 

Day One:

Bridalveil Fall (hike elevation, 80 feet)

The fall itself is 620 feet, however the "hike" to it is basically a 1000 foot paved walking path. It was the perfect little warm up to get our day started. Though the walk was easy it did not diminish the beauty of the fall by any means.

Bridalveil is one of the first things to see when entering the park, so the crowd was considerable. After a couple photos we moved on. We knew there were bigger fish to fry.

Vernal Fall (hike elevation over 1,000 feet)

The fall itself is only 317 feet, but it seems so much more massive than that when you get up close. Round trip the hike is just over 3 miles, and my runner brain thought, "Psh, 3 miles will be cake." HA! So wrong.

The hike to the fall was considerably more difficult that I anticipated. The trail is considered "moderate to strenuous." The first half of the trail wasn't too bad (I'm guessing this is the "moderate" part), some pretty steep inclines, but not terrible. The second half was legit (the strenuous part, for sure). Steep, slippery stone steps that were not to be messed around on. But, oh my, worth every second of burning quads, calves, and hamstrings.

All those stairs.

But worth every shaking, exhausted muscle.

The lighting to get a good picture of us was simply horrible: shadows where we were standing and serious sunlight on the fall - makes it difficult to get a solid shot. But how about that rainbow? I died and went to heaven when we were treated to that.

At the top of the fall we took a much needed break. Snacks and a little lounging while taking in the beauty that surrounded us. 

The top of the fall on the right side of the photo.

 After making it back down the trail - which might have been just as difficult as going up (oh, my knees), we figured we'd squeeze in one more must-see.

Mirror Lake (hike elevation 50 feet)

Two miles round trip, and super easy.

The lake is slowly drying up, as is the natural life cycle of lakes. But, we still appreciated the splendor of it all.

We spent our down time in the valley, enjoying all the surrounded us. 

We didn't know it at the time this picture was taken, but we would discover ourselves at the top of that waterfall the next day. Hiking that fall wasn't on our original itinerary.

The deer were everywhere, and seemed to care a nary about the people all over the place.

Isn't El Capitan a beauty?

That evening we made our way up to Glacier Point and stuck around to watch the sun set on Half Dome. It was freezing (for real, like 38º), but holy smokes was it gorgeous. 

Along with the main event (the sun setting on Half Dome), the view of the park from Glacier Point is crazy. I had a hard time keeping my jaw from hitting my feet.

The fall with the arrow pointing towards it is Vernal Falls. It seemed so massive while we were hiking it. From Glacier Point it seems tiny. And Nevada Fall, above it, is totally on my to-do list for the next Yosemite trip!

 I've said beautiful a million times, but what other word is there?

To end our epic first day we had a local see us out.

Day One: Three hikes, approximately 6 miles logged, and views that blew our minds.

Day Two:

Lower Yosemite Fall (hike elevation 50 feet)

Literally, a walk in the park. A mile round trip, totally paved. Totally easy. 320 feet of falling water and amazing. 

Like Bridalveil we knew we had a lot before us, so we snapped a picture and kept it moving.

Upper Yosemite Fall (hike elevation 2,700 feet)

Round trip, 7.2 miles. The fall crashes down 1,430 feet (sixth highest in the world), and is considered a moderate to strenuous hike. Again, my runner mindset thought 7.2 miles is do-able. No cake walk, but do-able…

Half way up the trail we were treated to some of the most breath-taking views of the park. 

At Columbia Rock - not quite half way up, and we're still smiling.

About 45 minutes after passing Columbia Rock the views of the waterfall were great, but the hike began to be a total mind game. I literally had to tell my legs to keep moving forward and up. It felt like the last two miles of a half marathon, when you know you're close and giving up is beyond an option. 

After two and a half hours we were at the top. Physically I was ready to be done. Mentally I was spent. 

Did I mention, to see some of these views - already at the top - we had to master stairs that were not for the faint of heart? 

That railing to the left is the only support… To the right, nothing but air…

Thankfully, the views were second to none, and made the grueling trip worth every tear I may or may not have shed at the top… 

See the trail on the far right side of the picture?

Yosemite, you have my heart.

If the currents wouldn't have been so strong I would have seriously considered jumping right into the freezing waters.

We rested our weary bodies, replenished with food and water, and began the tedious trek back down. The number of rocky, stony steps on this hike was astronomical. There had to have been at least 1,000 rocky steps to master. No easy feat going up, or down.

On the way down, the fall flashed us a stunning rainbow shot. It was almost as good as receiving a medal when you cross the finish line of a race. 

Finally, 4 hours and 40 minutes later we were back at the bottom. Totally exhausted, yet, elated to have completed such a trail. 

On our ride back to the B&B Scott asked what my favorite part of the hike was. After some thought, and prompts from him, I had to say simply DOING the hike while 5.5 months pregnant was my favorite part. It wasn't easy - honestly it may have been one of the hardest things I've done - but dang it, I did it.

Day Two: Approximately 8.2 miles hiked, and I felt every last step in my sore legs and butt for days.

Yosemite, you were pretty spectacular. I already have a bucket list of trails and falls I would love to visit our next time around!

The Cub Inn

I'll be the first to admit that my idea of vacationing does not involve camping. Often I kid that a Howard Johnson is the extent of my "roughing it" (because, let's be honest, some HoJo's are kind of sketch). So, when Scott and I agreed that Babymoon #2 would be spent at Yosemite I was a little worried what our lodging and accommodations would be like.

After quite a bit of searching I found a Bed and Breakfast that sounded like it was exactly what both Scott and I were looking for (woodsy, in a cute little town, as near to the park as possible, running water and electricity). We'd never stayed at a B&B, so we weren't exactly sure what to expect, other than we'd have a bed and breakfast… Obviously.

When we arrived to The Cub Inn, nestled in the trees on the mountain, we were immediately in awe.

This log house was gorgeous, inviting, and cozy.

When we arrived we were greeted by Joe and Char, and we instantly felt as if we were being greeted by an uncle and aunt we hadn't see in a while.

After our hellos, and a bit of chit chatting, I just had to attempt and capture the house and all its glory.

Don't you just want to browse the collection, grab something that perks your interest, and melt into one of those leather couches with the fireplace going? Gah! Heaven. 

Let me tell you, the pictures by no means do the place the justice it truly deserves.

Our room, named Carla's Room, was adorable.
Quaint, cozy, and exactly where I would want to collapse after hiking all day.

The addition of the four-legged furry friends was just the icing on the cake. Two of the cats must have either loved us, or our room. Any time our door was open they would slip in and snuggle up on the bed.

Our bathroom was spot on.

The soaker tub was huge, and hit the spot after two long days of strenuous hikes. As soon as I submerged myself it took about 45 minutes and a lot of pep talking myself back out.

Breakfasts each morning were so, so good. Joe's delicious and hearty dishes ensured we had full bellies before heading out and tackling Yosemite.

While the food was scrumptious, what I loved the most about breakfast was that all those staying at The Cub Inn gathered each morning, together. We chatted about what we'd done the day before and our plans for the day that lie ahead of us. Those breakfasts were so intimate, and something unlike any I'd ever experienced other traditional hotels/resorts.

Each morning as we packed up and left for the day, we were not only ushered out by Joe and Char, but by the resident deer as well.

To Joe and Char, thank you so much for the exceptional hospitality. We felt like we were part of your family. Our time with you was second to none and we look forward to returning again.