Day 186

Today was another wonderful day aboard ship.  We woke early-- it's always Luciana that cries and wakes Penelope, but in our cabin we are all together, so even a tiny cry is a wake up call. :/  We ate breakfast in the dining room this time, and it went well.  Later, Daddy and I left the girls with Mana & Granddaddy and went to the Serenity deck for some lounging in our swimsuits, reading.  It was so relaxing, we both fell asleep!  We have found a routine aboard ship, and pretty much do the same things each day, using the same times for naps, meals and relaxing to coordinate with Mana & Granddaddy so that they can also enjoy the ship and their vacation.  Today, while Daddy and Penelope went to the water park area, Luciana and I stayed behind in our cabin; we didn't want to sit in the hot sun, so we watched some TV and cuddled. :)  It is so nice when I get time to really spend with each baby girl without interruption, and I have gotten some really great quality time with both my angels!  So nice.
We decided not to get off our ship at either of our stops (Catalina & Ensanada, Mexico), so we spent all of our time on the Inspiration.  Most of the other cruisers did get off at each port, so it made the ship empty(ish) and more enjoyable for all those who stayed behind!
After dinner tonight, Papa and I watched a DVD on his computer in our bed.  We finding time to relax and are having such a great time! We are getting to spend lots of time together as a family, it's a real treat. :)
Tomorrow's our last full day aboard ship, then it's back to reality. :/  But, while it lasts, we are going to soak up every fun minute together!

Day 185

Before I talk about today, I  should give a quick rundown about last night.  Since all the cribs were taken, we had to put Luciana to bed on our sofa pullout-- she did just fine! :)  She woke up a couple of times, but just like at home, she was a perfect angel!  Penelope woke up in the middle of the night scared, probably not remembering that we were not at home, but she was okay once she saw that we were all together in the same strange place!
Today we ate breakfast buffet style, and everyone behaved well.  While the girls napped, Mommy enjoyed a Mother's Day gift from Daddy: an hour and forty minute spa treatment!  I got a seaweed mask applied all over, then lie on a warm water "float" bed; after a shower, I lie there some more and then had a full body massage, it was pure heaven!  This was the best Mother's Day gift ever, and to be on a beautiful cruise ship to boot!  Mama feels so appreciated! :')
After naps and lunch, we took Penelope and Luciana to the water park play area and had a great time.  Lulu lie on a chaise lounge and just played and enjoyed the warm sun in her cute little swimsuit.  Mommy, Daddy, and even Penelope went down the water slides!  What fun!  Scary too.  (Penelope went on a baby water slide, not a big one.)  Later before dinner, we put Penelope down for bed in our room in the crib, and took Luciana over to Mana & Granddaddy's cabin while we ate.  Both girls did well, and we ate like it was our last meal... meaning, we ate a LOT. :)  Our cabin is nice and big, so when we have any downtime it's roomy enough for P to run around and play, and Lu just plays on one of the beds.
We are having such a great time, and the weather is just beautiful!

Day 184

Today we were up with the sun, we had to finish packing and get over to Long Beach for our four day cruise! Daddy had just worked three days, so we were all excited to see each other and to have some fun. We are celebrating Daddy finishing all his Captain's test studies and then the actual test. The whole thing took just about two years, and he just wanted to show his appreciation for all our support... We are so lucky to have him! We boarded the Inspiration at 1pm, and were in our suite overlooking the side of the ship-- it's a nice big room with a living room area and bathroom with a bath tub! Grandma Gayle and Granddaddy are in the suite next door, and their room is just like ours. We took a walk around the ship after our emergency presentation, and Luciana fell asleep in the Ergo while I walked. Later, Daddy & I went to dinner and Lulu stayed in the room with Mana. Penelope slept in our room by herself without a problem. We had time to enjoy a yummy dinner and take a walk around the ship. Not a bad first day... We are excited for tomorrow-- we will take the girls to the kids water play area, and they have a baby water slide!!!!!! That's all for today... oh, we are tired!! Goodnight.

Day 183

Today we spent the day packing for our cruise-- we leave tomorrow. Penelope woke Luciana up at 5:40-something this morning, and so it went. It's Mother's Day, and I thought a lot about my girls, and how happy I am to be a mother, their mother. I'm thankful I have the sanity to keep doing it every day! 

Luciana is doing well, and is learning lots lately. She is trying to sit up on her own-- I still have to help her lots, but she really wants to! She is still so little, I think it'll come when she's just a little bigger. She is a very independent baby during the day-- I can put her on a blanket with a few toys and she'll be happy there for 45 minutes, sometimes. It's awesome because I'm beginning to have the time to clean our house again!!! It's been hard while she needed so much attention, but I see that she's growing out of that. 

Both babies are asleep now, and most of our packing is done. Mommy will fold a loaf of laundry and call it a night. It was a long day, but I have a feeling tomorrow is going to be just as busy, but it'll also be FUN! Mexico, here we come!! 

Night ;)

Day 182

Today is Fire Service Day, and we went to Papa's fire station to eat hotdogs & snow cones! :) Just saying-- two of Mommy's favorite things in the world! We were up at the crack of dawn, and after morning naps we were packed for the day and in the car headed to L.A. We invited Aunt Anita, Anabella & Matt, as we all enjoyed a fun day at work with Daddy. The girls were running around the yard, climbing on the fire trucks, and they even got to squirt the fire hose & knock over a cone (something Daddy set up for fun:)) Luciana sat quietly and happily in the Ergo carrier with Mama, and smiled at everyone. She's such a sweetheart! No crying, no whining, no squirming... She's so easy to have around, thankfully, because having two under two could be waaaaaay harder than it is. :)

We went to see Aunt Anita's new house on our way out, and then high tailed it home. We were back in time to have dinner, clean up and get into jammies. What a day!! Mommy continues to get us all ready for our cruise on Monday (today is Saturday). We're excited to be going away for some fun with the girls!!!  

I didn't have anyone take any pics of Lulu and I, so I'll share one of Daddy and Penelope. 

Day 181

Yesterday was a long day, but a good one. Luciana had her 6-month checkup & immunizations in Newport Beach, so we had a bit of a drive-- we love our pediatrician, still deciding if we want to keep her & schlep or find a local doc. So! Lulu has gained a pound, but is all around still just a teeny tiny princess. :) Dr. Lau says she's just petite like Mommy (and like her big sis was, too), and not to worry. She has met all the milestones expected of her for this age, and is a very healthy girl. When it came time for shots, I braced myself and held her arms... She cried a lot, but calmed when I nursed her right away. I have to mention here that Penelope didn't cry for her one shot! She looked a bit shocked and worried for a second, but she got through it!! My girls are so cool, just like Mom & Dad. ;) This doctor's appointment was super easy (without Daddy, who is always with us) because of our awesome double stroller-- I just put both girls in it, hand P a snack and we're good! 

We came home, had naps and then went on a walk to get Daddy's dry cleaning... Mom might have gotten some Baskin Robbins on the way home.... Maybe. ;) 

Luciana was up late last night: 10:15!! I'm hoping it was because she napped a LOT after her shots and maybe that ruined her sleep. Please let that be it!! We can't go back to no sleep!!!!! :(

More later. Time to get morning naps going. Bye!!

Day 180

Today we had Papa home all day, unexpectedly-- very nice! He made us pancakes for breakfast and Lulu sat in her bouncer and let us eat them! She used to cry every time I would sit down to eat, and lately she doesn't do that anymore! Good girl. :) 

After naps and lunch, Papa took the girls to the beach while Mama went to the nail salon (my once or twice a month getaway that's just for me!) They walk down the bike path to Doheny Beach:

I heard they had fun, and that Lulu had a nice long nap-- yay! Daddy loves taking his baby girls on long walks and to the beach & park. It's nice that I can always count on a little downtime while he & the girls get away for some of their own fun! I usually am bugging him for pics and updates the whole time-- I can't help it, it's hard for me to be away from my angel babies!! 

Luciana is getting used to going to bed earlier nowadays, and is sleeping great in her bed & room. We are all sleeping at night, and boy, it is NICE!!!

Tomorrow we are going to see Dr. Lau for Lulu's 6 month checkup & immunizations. Tomorrow's post will reflect what we learned there, weight, height and those things. 

Daddy will be at work until we leave for our cruise Monday... We can't wait. :'(

Night.