5 Year Anniversary- Southern Carribean Cruise

We had a WONDERFUL time celebrating our anniversary back in May!  We were so grateful for the time away to connect and relax and get to see and experience some of the most beautiful places in the world!!   We took a Southern Caribbean Cruise! The itinerary was: Sunday- at sea (we left from San Juan Puerto Rico), Monday- St. Thomas, Tuesday- at sea, Wednesday- Barbados, Thursday- St. Lucia, Friday- St Kitts (our actual 5 year anniversary!), Saturday- St. Maarten and Sunday back to San Juan to fly home.

I had no idea how much I was going to miss my little man...but I know time away is important and I know that one of the best things I can do for my baby is to be in love with his daddy...and so off we went...teary eyed as I was.  And I certainly don't regret it :)  Der, of course had a wonderful time with his grandparents...chasing the old cat and dog around and eating lots of crackers!  He got quite spoiled....well, and so did we!!! :)

5 Year Anniversary- Southern Carribean Cruise Pictures

On one of the evenings we had an the entire "club" aboard the ship to ourselves!  So fun!

Relaxing in the"adults only" part of the ship....which we really appreciated since we were trying to get a break from kid noise. 

One of the many pregger pics my photographer husband took...this one is in Magen's Bay.

No, we did not venture onto the nude beach...but you could definitely see some "nakedness" from where we were dropped off.  There were large groups of naked older people just standing around talking.  I think it would just be a little awkward, but none of them seemed to be bothered.  We took a tour in St. Maarten to get to see all of the island...this was just one of the stops.

On the island of St. Kitts...Ryan is part monkey trying to get a coconut from the tree.

On a high point in St. Kitts on our cab ride back to the ship.  They made a special stop for us to take a picture from the top of this mountain (people are accommodating when you are preggers!).  Can you tell its raining?

Our first evening aboard!

Magen's Bay...on our first stop in St. Thomas.  I had never seen water so beautiful!!

We took a catamaran around Barbados and this was the first stop. The sea turtles would let you touch them....so cool!

Snorkeling with the turtles. 

St. Maarten on the not nude side of the beach....although we could still see some butts from here.

Also in St. Maarten was a beach literally next to the airport.  As the planes landed, they got so close it was almost as though you could jump up and touch them.  Kinda cool!

On the beach in Barbados....after swimming ashore from the catamaran.

St. Kitts- This was our second favorite stop!  We spent the day at a beautiful beach that overlooked St. Nevis (behind us in the picture).  Just a short walk away from the beach we were dropped off at, we discovered this beautiful spot.  We had this stunning beach to ourselves for most of an hour.  It was a beautiful way to celebrate our 5 year anniversary!

Celebrating our anniversary that night!  Don't worry...mine was a virgin. Not that it really matters when you celebrate important milestones...but it was so special to actually be on vacation together the day of our anniversary.  

 

Our first stop....Magen's Bay in St. Thomas.  The beach was tucked into a cove with mountains on all sides.  It was spectacular...supposed to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and I would agree!

Formal night!

Two evening shots...I liked getting dressed up and Ryan was sweet enough to indulge me :)

In Barbados, we took a catamaran around the island.  Aside from getting a little sick, it was a beautiful way to get a panoramic view of the island.  We made two stops to snorkel.  A sunken ship and sea turtles (which were huge). 

Our other formal evening aboard! 

GORGEOUS place!  St. Lucia was our favorite stop!  We did a land tour to get a feel for the culture and then had a few hours at this beautiful beach...followed by a boat tour back to our ship.

Playing in the water on a beautiful beach between the pitons.

This was taken on our boat ride back to the ship.  It was so picturesque to be able to look back at the island from the water.  The pitons were beautiful!

A beautiful view looking back at St. Maarten as we pulled away.

Celebrating our last night on vacation!

Motherhood is a Calling

What an encouraging and yet convicting article for moms. :)  Enjoy fellow moms!

http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/motherhood-is-a-calling-and-where-your-children-rank

Family and Der's first beach trip!

Der's first time to go to the beach... he loved the water and waves...and even the taste of salt :)

Der and Meme

24 weeks

I thought this one was so sweet.  He is touching his sissy!

Der loved just sitting in the water where the waves broke.  This kid is fearless.

Frank's retirement dinner.  It was the fanciest dinner Ive ever had and the celebration was so nicely done!  Congratulations Frank!

some new pics and other tidbits...

Ryan got some sweet shots in the bluebonnets back in April!  These are some of my favorites!

My little learner!  This is from March...notice the sweet mohawk!

Obviously kinda old....but too cute!  Der's eggs had cheerios :)

This boy is passionate about crackers!!  He asks for them ALL day long! 

Der's first birthday!  The last year went by so quickly but has been such a joy! I am so grateful to get to be this precious boy's mommy!  He loved his birthday cake, once he stopped playing with the balloons. :) 

Only crazy (or pregnant) people are up at this hour!  I went to bed at 8, only to wake up at 10:30 hungry and wide awake...so I thought I would take this opportunity to post some new pics, since the last ones I have up of Der are from February.  The picture a day has come to an end.  My original plan was to turn the pictures into a digital scrapbook, but I just made one for his first year...so no need to do that anymore :)

Pregnancy Update- 25 weeks

How Far Along: 25 weeks, 4 days exactly

Total Weight Gain/Loss: about 18lbs.

Maternity Clothes: All maternity...preferably ones with no sleeves and light material...its so hot!

Gender: GIRL!!!!!  Hopefully we will have a name soon :)

Movement: Lots and lots and lots....she is a wiggler.  I like feeling her move except in the middle of the night :)

Sleep: Getting to be less and less....I guess my body is trying to get me ready to have a newborn/

Symptoms:  Nothing new except for the back pain....which I am almost positive is from carrying around Der.

Cravings: Same...Cold, sweet stuff.  Summer fruit has always been a favorite, so watermelon, blueberries, strawberries...and ice cream of course!

Best Moment this week: Der's new fascination with belly buttons.  He likes to lift up my shirt to see mine or his own...or a total stranger's.  He first noticed belly buttons when I would take my shirt off after our morning walk to cool off (and my belly button is looking especially interesting these days).  This has lead to more conversation about him being a big brother and sissy...not that he understands a thing. :)


I will post a pic when I put them on the computer....one day :)