An Adventure in Parenthood: Travel

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Trip to the Great Barrier Reef

July 25th-August 1st: Brisbane-Cairnes-Port Douglas, Australia

Little man got to spend his real birthday in the land down under. We met Dirk's parents', grandma and grandpa in Port Douglas, Australia.

This had been the toughest trip we have taken with him yet. There were two flights and a 24 hour layover and Dylan was teething, sick, and not happy. I think we will stick to short 2-3 hour direct flights now, but cutting your top teeth on holiday can never be fun.

He did manage to go on his first all day boat ride while Dirk and I went scuba diving, saw a koala for the first time, and I mentioned that top tooth coming in. Great milestones for your first birthday!

Roaming around a Brisbane park talking to all the Uni students!
Making friends as usual

Passed out on his first major boat ride.
He stayed on the boat while mommy & daddy dove and grandpa and grandma snorkeled.

New sunnies from grandma & grandpa

Clapping for Cane Toad Racing

Pointing out the winner

Hanging out with grandpa

who you looking at?

wearing grandma's hat

handsome boy

The wildlife habitat

I really don't like birds but the zoo keeper made me hold it

Feeding the kangaroos

Not in a good mood, cutting the top tooth while on holiday!
Makes an unhappy baby!

Little stud waiting for the bus back to the hotel

4 mile beach
Port Douglas, Queensland Australia

Much better to eat the candle when you get a top tooth as your birthday present

Fruit Smoothie for his actual first birthday

Sitting with some owl birds?

Mommy & Dylan on your first birthday night sharing a smoothie!
Love you little man!

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Stamps, Stamps, Stamps for my passport

December 18-22nd, 2011

Koh Samui, Thailand

Yet another stamp for the little man in his passport. This makes three, Indonesia, Australia, and now Thailand. Traveling with a 4 month old was interesting to say the least. It was a direct flight which was awesome and only an hour and half but it was at his bedtime which makes it a little more difficult. He did great though, some bumps along the way but for the most part it was smooth sailing...

I had the forethought to get a hotel room with a pool and big enough that we could all move around in freely. It was awesome, Dirk and I hung out at our own pool while Dylan napped inside! Such a relaxing holiday with room service, wine by the pool, and a gorgeous view of the sunset.

Dylan had a couple of firsts on the trip. He got into the swimming pool, well his feet did, it was a little too cold for him to swim. We used the bath tub instead for his blow up frog and he had a blast. Also stuck his feet in the ocean an let waves hit him for the first time. He seemed to really enjoy that. And yes, we might be crazy, but he took his first elephant ride.

In true Thai fashion all the hotel staff loved him, they love babies in general. We never had a problem with him coming to dinner or being bored, they even taught him some Muay Thai moves one night.

It was a great family vacation... can't wait to do it again in New Zealand.