Boxes and Beaches

“Looks like we made it!”. Well, for now at least! We’ve unpacked all the boxes, and pictures are up on the walls. We’re still arranging things in their new place and child proofing everything, but the heavy lifting is done. This is something that I’ve been waiting for! I don’t really have a huge desire to ‘nest’ right now (Sleep sounds so much better than cleaning), but it is very comforting, knowing that everything is unpacked and ready for baby. Such a relief. Bringing a baby home to boxes and unorganized chaos was not my ideal. 

Last Sunday we had dinner with some friends in our new ward; they had barely just met Donny that Sunday, and then invited us over for dinner and fun. Evelyn was a bit shy around their son, but eventually she warmed up. She was so excited to see him again at church today. It was pretty adorable. 

Church was great, and we think we’re going to love our new ward. We’re in the Monterey 2nd ward, and the chapel we meet in is literally in a forest. The car on the highway in front of us almost hit a deer on our way to the chapel this morning. Luckily the driver was attentive, and the little deer was quick. Glad it was an uneventful morning! 

This week has been unreal! 

Our first night, after we put Evy to sleep we could actually hear the seals barking on the beach. How insane is that? 

We did a lot of sight seeing this week, and played ‘tourist’ haha. We would unpack and work in the morning, and then after Evelyn’s nap we would go somewhere fun. Monday we checked out the parks in our neighborhood, there are about 5 within a mile. Evelyn has been in paradise! We finally got her to go down the slide by herself, by telling her its a tunnel (like the one that leads to Cannery Row, she asks to go through it every time we leave the house! Haha!). Once she made that connection, it was hard to get her to leave!

On Tuesday we walked to Lover’s Point, about a mile and a half away from our apartment. On the way there, we just took the surface streets, not the trail, and we had so much fun checking out all the neat architecture and styles. Some of the homes around here are unbelievable. We picked up a flyer for one selling for 1.15 million dollars, and it was built circa 1910. It advertised having a 15 foot wall of windows overlooking the ocean. Wow. What a price tag. But I can only imagine eating a bowl of cereal every morning looking out those windows. Hot dang. For now, we’re overjoyed with our little ocean view, it’s little price tag and our cheap cereal! Haha! 

Wednesday was my favorite day this week. Eh, it’s hard to decide. I’ll just say Wednesday was spectacular. We went to Carmel, and I think it’s my new favorite beach. We’re definitely going back…all the time!! Evelyn loved playing there, and people watching. Well, more like ‘Doggie watching’ for her. She loves to watch the dogs chase after their toys on the beach. It’s so fun to watch her get excited when they catch the toy, and then worried for them when they have to jump in the waves. Her poor little emotions were on overload! 

Thursday we went to some more parks in the area, and played with some of the neighborhood kids. Evy had a great time, and loved following some of the older kids, about 3 and 4 year olds, around. This just reaffirms to me that she is going to LOVE having a baby sister to follow her around and play with. She’ll just have to wait for her to grow up a bit. Haha. 

My favorite park in our neighborhood is two blocks down, it has a grassy hill, swings, play ground, and an ocean view. I must admit, I get a little sucked into the view sometimes, especially when the sail boats go by. Still getting used to it!! 

Friday was a busy day, Donny and Evy played at the Dennis the Menace park while I went to meet my new doctor! Yay! Just like unpacking the house, meeting my doctor and getting everything set for baby has been such a relief. I kept worrying that I would go into labor before I even got the chance to meet him. So now that my paperwork is all filled out, and I’ve had a sizing ultrasound, I’m all for going into labor tomorrow. Or right now. The sooner the better please!! Everything looked great in the ultrasound, and it looks like she is 6 pounds, 10 ounces right now, give or take a pound. I’m personally hoping it’s a pound taken. Haha. We’ll see! 

After my appointment, we set our record for number of beaches visited to in one day. We went to Asilomar Beach, the breeziest and coldest (Although it was fun to watch the surfers) then to San Carlos Beach and then Monterey State Beach. We drove to Asilomar, and walked to the others later that evening.

On Saturday we ran some errands, finished some projects and walked to Monterey State Beach again. It’s about a 3 mile round trip, and Evelyn loves to run around on the sand. It’s been a great way to get her nice and tired before bed! And, walking the hills is a great workout. Hopefully one that leads to labor sometime in the next two weeks! 

We feel like we’re vacationing, and in a sense, we definitely are. Just trying to soak up as much fun and outdoors before the baby comes and school starts for Donny. His summer job for EF starts at the end of July, so he will be here to help with the transition from just one kiddo to two. Such a blessing. Until then, we’re just hanging out on the beach, having picnics and loving every moment. 

And here is my photo dump! :) 

Our ocean view!

Lover's Point

Donny and Evy

Carmel

Our favorite park

Evy and her 'Tunnel'

Monterey State Beach

Run away!

Carmel

Ghirardelli...just to make all the women in my family jealous! 

San Carlos Beach...not a bad place to park a stroller!

Evelyn climbing up the rock walls...

An evening walk to the beach before bed. 

Take Care!