How was your trip to Hawaii? How did Reed do on the flight? Did you guys have a good time?I'm about to answer all the questions that have been plaguing your minds. I know you're dying to know how the trip was!
First, I have to say that the flights out there were much different than the flights back home. Both trips connected in Phoenix, but that's where the similarities end. On the way out, Reed slept slept on the way to Phoenix, had his breakfast and played during the layover and then took two naps on each end of the nearly 7 hour flight to Hawaii with plenty of time to play in between. It was more than we could have dreamed. He basically took 3 two hour naps and was up for 2 hours in the middle of the PHX to KOA flight. Mike's parents were on the same flight from PHX, so they were able to play with him some, too.
On the way home, we took a red eye from Kona to to Phoenix. So, of course, Reed had crashed before we even got to the airport and slept through security, boarding, take off and landing. Yes, the whole flight. However, he was pretty much the only one! Mike got a few hours, but since I had Reed strapped to me with the moby, there really wasn't much sleeping for me. Even at the end of the flight when Mike offered to hold him, I still couldn't get comfortable enough to get much shut-eye. So that's how he did on the plane. The moby is my best friend in airports- I strap him facing out as we walk around and he can kick his little feet and see the world. Once we're on the plane and he's ready to sleep- he goes in facing me and snuggles up for a good nap. The hum of the engines and the vibrations make it difficult for him to resist. He is just like his father.
So- Hawai'i~! Wow, right? Black lava rock piled all over the island, ocean waves crashing, palm trees, beaches, coconuts falling, exotic flowers naturally growing on trees everywhere you look, majestic waterfalls, dripping caves, steam vents and volcanoes! Too bad Reed won't even remember it!
I don't mean to start out with a downer- but the saddest thing was our little Reedster was sick for almost 4 days out of our week vacation! He woke up in the middle of that first night and had a temperature of 103 degrees. Mike and I got him to take some Tylenol and kept a cool rag on his head (much to his dismay). This fever would subside and then spike again about every 4 hours. It was comforting that he didn't have any other scary symptoms- just a plain old fever, but it really bothered us to not know what was causing it. Finally Sunday afternoon, we got him on an antibiotic but his fever was on its way out at the same time so its a debate whether the virus was just done, or the antibiotic kicked it. I hate seeing my little guy sick. He makes these pitiful whimpers and squirms around- I wish there was something I could do to comfort him.
Our main event was Mike's big race. He completed yet another IronMan 70.3 and although he didn't make his goal time, I was still the ever so proud wife. See, the thing about having a husband who is a fast swimmer is that his glory is right at the start of the race. It's exhilarating waiting for him to exit the water after a 1.2 mile swim- leaps and bounds ahead of gobs of people. Mike was 18th out of the water at this race; they didn't have wave starts so it didn't matter age, gender, or level. Mike started at the same time as the pros and came out ahead of many of them (nothing new here). He was right on goal when he returned from a grueling 56 miles on the bike. Maybe some of you have seen the IronMan World Championships in Kona televised- this is half of their same bike course for that event. It's a very hot, full sun, and windy course. You know you're in trouble when your bike course goes past a wind farm, right? With a sleeping baby in my arms, I snapped a picture of him starting the run. He was full of pep and had quite a spring in his step. This, however, is the best way to give me false hope. As I mentioned, it was pretty warm. Mike did not return on time and as I waited at the finish line, poised with camera just below my chin, ready to fire: I did as I always do. I started to worry. I know my husband isn't the fastest runner, he's fast for sure, but for one thing fast is relative. For another thing, for someone who loves warm climates, he sure doesn't perform well in them! I'm not saying I blame him, I can barely walk 15 yards from one shady spot to the next while cheering at these races.
Well, it was still a fun and memorable race for all. Mike didn't break 5 hours at this one, but he's got 2 more chances this year with Iowa's PigMan and OKC's RedMan.
Afterwards, we spent some time with our friends from OKC who also went out for the race. We were staying in a condo in Waikaloa, so we had been doing grocery shopping and cooking our meals for the most part. I threw together a pasta salad for the get together that night and watched everyone drink what looked like very refreshing beers. I don't drink beer. At one point the grill caught fire, so I pointed that out.
We played at the pool a couple times, and went to the beach... um... once. Unless you count the swim start of Mike's race. See, the thing we never considered was how difficult it is to have a baby at the beach. We were so excited for Reed to see the ocean and play in the sand. We didn't think about how dangerous it is and well, its just a hassle. He wants to eat the sand. First thing he did was pick up a fist full and slowly bring it towards his mouth and the next thing I know I'm trying to wipe sand off his tongue. Since Reed can't walk, he has to be right down there in the sand. Getting it in his mouth, his eyes, his ears or anywhere else that we really really don't want sand. So Mike and I made the best of our short time on boogie boards and then boogied out of there.
It was a great trip, many fantastic memories were made and beautiful sights were seen. Now if I could just adjust back to central time zone!
For the online photo album for Hawai'i just click here
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