We took this picture mainly for the girls. The Holland America Crew would leave us with these towel creations each night when they came in to turn down the bed. Pretty cool huh? They were amazing. I would definitely sail with Holland America again. The staff waited on you hand and foot. There was nothing they wouldn't do for you. Interestingly though, they cater to an older crowd. As a matter of fact there was a metting on board where very wealthy older women were recruiting male escorts for trips around the world. There was a big sell to book your next cruise even before you got off the ship. I think we would do it again but only if Maddie and Hannah could come along. We missed them terribly.

The Seattle Crew


Our last night on the ship - couldn't have asked for a better sunset.

Formal Night #2 (Can you see the Bling?)

Aruba

So the highlight of the trip was going to Aruba. Again though, we had so little time there. :(

Our first stop was at the LaPointe Family jewlery store - Kays - for some well deserved bling (pictured later). Our friends from Seattle came with us and we bargained hard. Then we were off to the beach. We went up by the Hyatt because the travel agent on the ship had said that's where all the action on the island is located. Really though we wanted quiet beach. Instead we found ourselves plowing through a crowd of people, fighting for chairs that we later had to give up, and parking ourselves down in a very densely packed patch of sand. Nothing a little alcohol and sun couldn't fix though. :)

Curacao

We did not have much time on this particular island. We got off the ship, ran around town, and then caught a taxi to a beach 3 or 4 miles away. What I remember is that it was breezy but the beach time was pretty limited. Before we knew it we were back on the ship for dinner and off to Aruba.

Formal Night

Our first day at sea we had "Formal Night". Everyone gets all dolled up in their finest for dinner. On the ship they do professional photos. You can make an appointment with the photographer or do what we did - ask a passer by to take a quick photo. Not too bad....

Our Cruise

Bri and I took a cruise almost two weeks ago now and we had a wonderful time. The girls stayed with both sets of grandparents while we were away. This trip was planned as a CME, so unfortunately on the days we weren't in port, I had to be in class while Brian had to rough it by the pool or out on deck.

I began to get sea sick even while we were still in Ft. Lauderdale. Luckily I was armed with good medication. The first night Brian and I went out to dinner at one of the ship's specialty restaurants for Valentine's Day, but we went to bed early after a long day of traveling.


Our first stop on day two of the cruise was Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas. Heavenly, as these pictures illustrate. Bri and I were off the ship super early, and I even got in a run before the temp went above 80 degrees. We met a nice couple from Seattle (thanks to Brian's Seattle t-shirt) and we hung out on the beach all day - by the bar of course. No tan ladies though. I would have to wait until Aruba to get that specialty drink.

My Banana is 4 months old. She had a doctors appointment today and weights 14lbs 10oz and is 24 inches long. I don't remember her head circumference....She got 2 vaccinations today and Maddie held her hand and sang to her afterward. Awwww.

This is a very tired Maddie after the grandparents, aunts, and uncles were over for Christmas dinner. We had a lovely meal together. We did try and get pictures of presents being opened, but it was a bit chaotic and nothing was truly captured on film except a lot of stray bows, ribbons, and torn wrapping paper.

Our Little Wrestler

Maddie wants to announce her upcoming debut with the WWF.

Christmas

Santa came to our house on the 24th so Mom could partake in the event. (I had to work at the hospital on Christmas Day). The night before Santa was to arrive, Maddie put out reindeer food and cookies for Santa and his sleigh. She was very excited and needless to say we had a tough time getting her to sleep. She might have gone down finally around 10 or even 11pm. The next morning Brian and I were up very early, but not Maddie. She was zonked from the night before. We sat downstairs and waited for her, but eventually had to go upstairs and wake her. We were so excited that we couldn't wait any longer. Unfortunately though, Maddie seemed disappointed with the Radio Flyer wagon and the toys awaiting her under the tree. Brian and I surmise that she thought she would physically see Santa. After all, how dare he leave presents and not stop to say hello?! But wait, he had left her a thank you note for the reindeer food and cookies. This seemed to rectify the problem with our little miss and shortly thereafter the living room became a sea of wrapping paper and toys as she blew through the room like a little tornado.

A Happier and Healthier Hannah

Hannah's Second Cold

Poor baby...

Maddie Turns Two!!

To avoid holiday craziness, and just craziness in general, we had Maddie's birthday party on the 6th of December. Only grandparents, aunts, and uncles were present this time around but that didn't stop Maddie from being spoiled. She got new pots and pans for her kitchen, a lunch bag, creatively made by Auntie E, and Elmo bedding. And that wasn't all. There were swings for the new swing set, books, and a laughing doll (which Maddie won't go to sleep without).

Hannah Banana

Isn't she a cutie!!

Thanksgiving!

The Saturday after Thanksgiving the old Townsend crew got together for lunch. It was nice to catch up and give the kids an opportunity to play with each other.

I'm still trying to find the photos I got of Maddie and Ciara playing together. Roberta is missing because she intentionally dodged the camera. I'm not sure about Erin and Carla. Ryan, too, is among the missing.

The Swing Set!!

I was getting home from work one night and as I pulled into the driveway I spotted a swing set in the yard. Grammie and Grampie had come to put it up, and boy oh boy what a surprise! Needless to say Maddie is thrilled and Hannah will be when she's old enough to know better. Thank you!!

Hannah

So here is my baby. I'm returning to work tomorrow and am sad to be leaving her. Brian pointed out that even though I had 3 months with Maddie I worked a far busier schedule. Still, it is hard. For those of you who don't know, I had a very rare tumor removed at the time of Hannah's birth. The majority of my maternity leave was thus spent going from doctors office to doctors office, getting second opinions, anxiously awaiting lab results, undergoing CT scans... For anyone who has gone through something similar I would not wish it on my worst enemy. Suffice it to say though that all is well. Labs are normal, the CT scan was negative, and the tumor is now a thing of the past. As one of my physicians put it, "Although anxiety provoking, over time this will fade into the background of your life". Still, I wish I could have my time back with Hannah, those quiet, reflective moments you are supposed to have with your baby.

I'm a planner and have always had an eye toward the future - but to a fault. This has been a learning experience and will continue to be, I'm sure. Nothing changes overnight. But, I really understand the importance of living in the Now. I have the most amazing friends and family. I hope you know how much you are all appreciated. Brian - you are my rock. Your sense of humor will get us through anything :)

On a lighter note, I contemplated putting Hannah's feet on the Halloween post. Check those babies out! They are scary - even bigger than Maddie's when she was born.

Auntie E visits!!

Halloween Continued

Also among the missing: my dad, Jess, Butch, Lois, David, Erika, and Ken and Christina. I must say Ken and Christina are a convincing Hermione and Mr. Harry Potter. I did a double take when they came up onto the porch. It was a lot of fun guys. I hope we can do it again next year. Thanks for all your efforts.