It's been almost an entire month since I last wrote on here, and honestly, I can't really explain the absence. I think it might have to do with the fact that my life currently revolves around this teeny little boy, and, while I think he's pretty much the best thing on planet Earth, ya'll probably aren't interested in his every babble and nap. I have managed to make a full-time job out of stressing about his sleep (or lack thereof), and, let's be honest, no one but Grandma wants to hear about that. Heck, I don't even want to hear about it anymore. So it leaves me wondering if I have anything worthwhile to say. Not being at work anymore means I am fresh out of stories about octogenarians throwing applesauce at me, and since those tales have gone by the wayside, this blog just doesn't dazzle like it used to. ;)
I also have been struck by the stark reality that I don't have hobbies. I mean, sure, I've sewn quilts and done craftsy things that have put a check mark in the "domestic" box on my wifely resume. I also like to cook and will read an occasional book, but as far as the thing that I DO just for ME that defines who I am when I'm not being a mom or a nurse... I'm kind of sitting here shrugging my shoulders feeling a little sheepish, and... unaccomplished. So. I'm on the hunt for a hobby. Stat.
Pinterest and
Real Clear Politics don't count as hobbies.
In other news, Ty got a random vacation in mid-January that resulted in our taking a fun road trip all over California. We toyed around with the idea of doing something exotic or far away. Then we reasoned that people come from thousands of miles away to this here golden state every day, so we had probably better take advantage of its offerings while they were in our backyard. So we packed up the car, and off we went. Jack did great, mostly because we were never in the car for more than 3.5 hours at a time. The trip didn't break the bank either, thanks to it being off-season for basically everything, and the fact that I spent lots and lots of time on
tripadvisor and
yelp. We also shuddered at the idea of eating out for every meal and coming home several hundred dollars poorer and 10 lbs heavier, so we loaded up a couple boxes with fruit and cereal and goodies from Trader Joe's. Best way to travel. We'll be doing it again.

We headed first to Yosemite, where Jack got his first full breath of real mountain air. There was no snow, but it was still quite cold, which gave me a great excuse to shove the baby in a ridiculous puffy coat. We stayed in a
quirky little inn about 45 min outside the park.

Then onto Sequoia National Park, a place neither of us had been before, but now one of our favorite places on earth. The Forest of Giants was hauntingly beautiful and quiet and inspiring. Yes,
John Muir was the prophet of nature in his day, but who wouldn't spout poetry after visiting this place?! Gorgeous. We'll be back. We stayed in Visalia in
a gorgeous B&B that boasted the best breakfast I may have ever had.
I spy with my little eye... a wee bebe.
We headed south to Anaheim/LA where we met my parents and went to the temple, the
natural history museum, and Disneyland. I'm telling you, going to Disneyland on a Tuesday in mid-January is just about the smartest thing we've ever done. The weather was perfect, the lines were non-existant, the baby dozed peacefully in his stroller most of the time, and after a little obsessive planning on my end, we were able to do everything on our wishlist. Not to mention there was a Cold Stone in the lobby of our hotel. Darn.

There may have been a trip (or two) to Cafe Rio. Ty and I are trying not to be completely bitter at the fact that Southern California boasts SEVEN Cafe Rio locations, while Northern California gets no love. Whatever.
We stopped through quaint Solvang on the way back north, and I felt all proud to be Danish. I believe I'm technically more Danish than I am anything else, but I'm such a European mutt that it's hard to claim one nationality. But, for the day, I was a blazing Dane. Again, another gorgeous day.

Sorry if a naked little mermaid bothers you. I think she's quite classic. My friend addresses nude art here.
Jack did such a fabulous job, sleeping in a different place every night and spending so much time in his car seat (a feat we thought impossible a few months ago when a ride to the grocery store induced a full-on red-faced, breath-holding, arm-flailing emergency). Even though I had serious apprehension about taking a 4 month old on a trip like this, I'm glad we decided not to fret about it too much, and just pick up and go.