The Grand Del Mar

Vere had a business trip on Sunday to Tuesday that he thought was going to be in Orange County but ended up being at The Grand Del Mar. Which is right in our neck of the woods! So Cole and I decided to tag along since the weather's been so nice we could go swimming and give the new travel crib a test run. I really wanted to get Cole in the water because we had a pool playdate last week and he was not into it at all.

Cole at playdate and not in the pool. I bought him a new floaty tube thing and everyone played in it except for Cole.

Baby Bjorn Travel Crib Light - Test Night #1 - The Grand Del Mar is gorgeous! Cole had so much fun exploring the room when we first got here. Little did he know this would be where we were spending the next two nights and that thing he's been dropping all his toys into would actually be his bed. Before Vere left for his dinner, I made sure the crib was all set up. We decided to put it in the hallway in between the door and the door to the bathroom. That way I wouldn't have to sit in the dark once Cole fell asleep around 7:30 p.m.

Dinner for Cole went as usually and I ordered myself dinner so it would be there before Cole's bath and I could eat after he went down. We took a bath, read stories, sang songs and I put him down in the crib and that's when the screaming started! It didn't help that the new crib lies right on the ground so it was lower than I'm used to and the transfer wasn't as smooth. After a couple minutes of full-blown high-pitched screaming I decided to pick him up, rock him and put him back down. But when I picked him up, I noticed the mattress was a little hard and realized I put the mattress in the wrong way! So poor Cole had to sit on the ground screaming while I quickly flipped the mattress. I rocked him till he calmed down and tried again...and again the crazy screaming. A couple minutes went by and I decided I'd better move his crib because he was screaming so loud and he was so close to the door. So I moved it over by the window where I ended up rocking him 3 more times before I decided I just needed to let him cry it out. I put him in the crib, grabbed my dinner and went over to the little nook near the bathroom door hoping that our neighbors had not decided to stay in and order room service. While Cole cried himself to sleep, I ate my cold dinner by the light of my iPhone on the floor next to the bathroom and wondered A) if I could still return the crib? and B) if I should just take Cole home?

But an hour and fifteen minutes after I put Cole to bed, he was finally asleep and I was laying in bed, in the dark wondering what to do since the movie I started downloading on the iPad 3 hours before still had 90+ minutes to go. And that's when I decided to write this post about our experiences at The Grand Del Mar. Now looking back, I should have just let him cry in the first place because it took less than 15 minutes for him to go down. And he probably always screams that loud, I just usually turn the volume on the monitor off.


This place is fun!


 

This isn't a good picture of Cole but check out the bathroom!



This is the hallway where Cole was originally going to sleep.



Pulling out every drawer of course.


Day Two - Things were looking up. Cole took an unheard of hour long nap in his crib this morning. It was probably because he still woke up at 5 a.m. even though he fell asleep much later than usual. Vere left for his meetings and I fed Cole breakfast and took him to explore the hotel. He just loves running around in new places. Then we met up with Vere and went to the pool. This hotel was great because it had a kids pool section and within the kids section, they have a super young kids area with 2 pools just for the young-ins and all of their pools are heated to 82 degrees! We spent the whole afternoon there and Cole loved it! He especially liked the baby pool that was 6" - 1' deep! He was splashing like crazy and walking all over the place. He even dunked his head by accident a few times and didn't even care. After a big day at the pool Cole took another hour long nap in his crib. Vere and I hid out in the bathroom while Cole fell asleep. He only cried for 3 minutes. Then Vere took a nap while I continued writing this post. We took another walk around the resort and had an early dinner and Cole went right to sleep. I'm so glad I didn't throw Cole in the car and go home that first night because we had so much fun on our mini vacation!

I could not get Cole away from this area. He just loved walking around and hiding behind the columns.

 

peek-a-boo!

 

These are just some pics I took on our walk.



They had this amazing fire pit.

 

Pool area

 

And their own helipad of course!

 

I had to take a pic of the sinks! Crazy detail!



Cole and daddy hanging out in the pool!



Cole and mommy in the baby pool!

  

Seeing his first live horse at the hotel's stables.



After our walk, we hung out in this big grassy area to let Cole run around. He was so cute because he kept running away and then coming back and giving Vere a hug. And then running away and coming back to hug over and over again. It was funny. We also taught him to be "gentle" to the flowers in this garden. He would totally get it and pat them very softly. But would forget and when he came back to the flowers he would just grab a handful again and we'd have to teach him "gentle" all over again.



Coming back for a daddy hug!



Vere and I waiting in the bathroom for Cole to go down for his nap.

At dinner. We ate so early, we were the only ones there! It was nice because Cole could be as loud as he wanted :)



After dinner photo-op by the fountain.




Gazebo photo-op.

  A few things about Cole today:

• He learned how to drink out of his straw sippy cup that I bought him 2 months ago! And it only took him about 5  minutes of watching me do it. He was so excited he downed the entire cup.
• When he went under the dining table today, he was trying to get out by going under the chair. I told him to be careful and lowered my head. And he did the same thing and crawled safely under the chair!
• Tonight during his bath he was kicking like crazy and I was starting to get mad because everything was getting wet, including myself. I told Cole "no kicking" in my stern mommy voice. He took a long look at my serious face, smiled and kept on kicking and never broke eye contact. I am seriously in for some trouble!

Mr. Independent

So at 11 months, Cole is Mr. Independent. He's just becoming his own little person and likes to do certain things and has his own opinion about things. It's so funny! He's walking pretty much exclusively now. I'm so proud of him and it's cute because you can tell he's proud of himself too. He is loving the freedom of running around different places like the park, the mall, the backyard, etc. and picking things up that he finds and massacring plants. One of his favorite things to do right now is to walk around while holding things in both his hands.

This is a typically day in the life of Cole. Walking around with something in his hands. Here he has his trucks. 

 

Walking with blocks.

 

Walking at Tutu and Grandpa's with stacking cups.
When Cole likes to do something - he is serious about it.



Cruising around...with two water bottles in his hands of course!

Today his new travel crib arrived for our big trip next month. We got the Baby Bjorn Travel Crib Light because it's super lightweight and super easy to set up. So we set it up right away so Cole could get used to it and know that it's his. He took to it right away and pushed it around the entire living room/kitchen. Then he dropped several of his toys inside. Whether or not he will actually sleep in it is still to be determined. But we're testing it out this weekend while we stay at the Grand Del Mar for one of Vere's business trips. And again at Tutu and Grandpa's next week while Vere is in Toronto.


Taking the new crib out for a test drive.



All of the stuff Cole dropped into his new crib.

Cole is in love with Daddy this month. Chases after him when he leaves for work in the morning. Is so excited to see him when he gets home from work. And I'm afraid to say... even prefers Vere to me sometimes :( There have been several occasions when Vere has tried to hand Cole off to me and Cole has clung to him for dear life! And lately Cole has wanted an extra hug from Daddy before Mommy takes him and puts him to bed. It's going to be tough being the disciplinarian vs. the "fun guy" but I will try not to take it personally. I also think Cole is starting to realize that Vere travels and works so much that time with Daddy is precious. Mealtime is no longer fun time. In the last few weeks, several things have occurred with mealtime:

1. Cole does not want Mommy to feed him anymore. Anytime I put a spoonful of something in front of him, he either ignores me or swats it away along with everything that was on the spoon. 
2. Everything must be bite size pieces so he can feed himself.
3. If Cole doesn't like something, he picks up each piece and drops it onto the floor.
4. Before Cole tries something new, he smashes several pieces with his index finger to decide whether he will eat it or not.
5. When Cole is done eating, he takes his hand and swipes his placemat until there is nothing left in front of him.

It's been a little tough figuring out what to feed him because he is also picky.

Things he'll always eat: fruit, toast and snacks

Things I need a back-up meal for: vegetables, pasta, meat and cheese. 

Depending on Cole's mood, he will also eat grilled cheese, tofu with teriyake, avocado and cream cheese spread on bread and sweet potato chunks. I'm stressed out trying to find yummy but healthy solutions....



Eating toast like a big boy!



Mmmmm.... toast.

 

Cole has also decided he doesn't want to sit and drink his bottle anymore.
So he stands, leans against things or walks around.



Bottle time on daddy's head!

This is a quick little video because I only caught the tail end on camera. We bought this toy last weekend. You put the balls in the holes on top and they come out the bottom. I didn't think Cole would actually get it but I thought he would like playing with the balls for now. But he totally gets it! He is so smart! 

Latest cute pics of Cole...


At the park in daddy's hat

 

Wearing daddy's sunglasses!




Very excited about walking with things in his hands

Sporting his new pjs from Tutu and Grandpa



Exploring the backyard







10 1/2 months...

Wow...OK it's been a while. We've been so busy lately with my dad's 60th birthday party, a visit from Tutu, Auntie KC, Kalia and Maya, a fundraising event for Kits for Africa, sinus infection for Cole, Cabo for Vere and I and lots of other stuff. All the while Cole has been getting into anything and everything. He's a totally different baby than he was just a month ago. He's been opening cupboards and drawers and pulling everything out. A couple weeks ago he was in the office digging through one of the drawers when a pair of scissors flew through the air. We were basically living for a week or two with chairs in front of anything that Cole could open. I finally had a chance to do some baby proofing last week. Although Cole has already broken through 2 drawers with baby proof latches on them. He can also pretty much walk on his own. Not super far but he's gonna get it real soon. Today he walked from the ottoman to the TV, which is about 6-7 feet. It was amazing! But now that he's vertical, there's so much more he can reach! The other day he was trying to reach the door handle of the bathroom. I'm hoping he hasn't already figured out that that's how you open it because in another inch or so we're gonna be in big trouble!

Some of the fascinating things Cole has discovered in the last few weeks:

• The button on the TV turns it on and off and on and off and on and off...
• He can scream and it's slightly more effective than crying alone.
• Toilet paper
• The remote controls the TV. When he plays with the remote, he actually turns to look at the TV to see what happens. It's crazy!
• Water comes out of the water cooler. 



I'm walking!

Cole used to hate this activity mat because of the animals that hung above his head. Now he likes to lift the whole thing over his head.

The aftermath



Here, Cole is practicing Mario Kart for the Koga Kup one day...



And he can climb the stairs...

So the last weekend in February, we had a surprise birthday party for my dad's 60th. It was awesome! He was totally surprised and genuinely touched that everyone came out to celebrate his birthday. We had been planning it for several months and although we made all the invites, party hats, centerpieces, menus and decorations, the hardest part was keeping it a secret. I have no idea how my mom did it because I only saw him one weekend and almost blew it. But the party was great! We love our dad so much and it was so nice to be able to do something special for him since he's been taking care of us our entire lives. And it was nice to spend time with friends and family.

Dad at his party wearing the crane lei that Joy and Mel gave him. 



Dad's birthday mini cupcakes!



Oh ya, did I mention we did shots?

 

A few days later Tutu, Auntie KC, Kalia and Maya came for a visit. Cole was so excited when they got here. I've only seen him like that when Vere comes home from work or trips. He was laughing and wanting to get up close to them. He really enjoyed having his 2 cousins here and was more than happy to share his toys. Which is good because he probably won't be the next time he sees them. We had a picnic at Seagrove Park and played at the playground. 


Checking out the surf.



Kalia on the slide!





On the swings with Maya! Push me Auntie KC!

 

Picnic at Seagrove



Auntie KC, Kalia and Maya checking out the beach

 Thanks to Kalia and Maya, he finally knows how to use this!

We also had our 2nd fundraising event  for Kits for Africa. Which was why my mom was coming down to SD in the first place to babysit Cole. And of course right when I was about to leave for the event, Cole had a fever of 102.3. His highest ever. Turned out he had a sinus infection and had to be on antibiotics for 10 days. He seems OK now though.

Last week, Cole discovered my belly button. He kept lifting up my shirt and jabbing his finger in there. It was funny at first but then I had to hide from him. Luckily he hasn't remembered about it since.

This past weekend, Vere and I had a weekend alone for the first time since Cole was born. Vere had a conference in Cabo from Wednesday to Sunday and at first I wasn't going to go because I didn't want to leave Cole. But then I decided we really needed a little getaway to be husband and wife again and not just mommy and daddy. So my parents came down for the weekend and I flew out on Friday to meet Vere. I did cry twice the morning I left and then maybe again after I had a few too many drinks one night. But other than that I was fine...and so was Cole. He had a good time with Tutu and Grandpa. He even took hour+ long naps for them in his crib. In fact, he wasn't even that excited to see me when we got home. It was like he wasn't sure if it was me or not. But today he's back to his old self, including his 30 minute naps.

Some of my favorite pictures of Cole...



At the park



With daddy and Lucy



Not quite ready to eat out of a bowl yet.



Eating grass at the park.



Quick video of Cole taking a few steps today

Valentine's Day

For Valentine's Day, Cole and I went to a Valentine's Day party at the Ocean Air Rec Center park with our moms group. It was fun! Cole ate lots of snacks including a clump of dirt that immediately turned into mud in his mouth and lots of dried grass that would get stuck to whatever he was eating. And it was nice for me to hang out with other moms.



Cole with his new friend Edward (who turned 1 this weekend)
Yup, that's dirt on his face :)

 

Me and Cole with Christina and Jake (who I think is about 14 months)



Cole playing with his valentine's


The weekend before, Tutu and Grandpa came down for a visit and helped me with the Valentine's cards that I wanted to make for Cole to give to his new little friends. That's not why they came down but I'm glad they did! It may have been a little amitious of me and I probably wouldn't have gotten them done without them... thanks guys!

Cole's Valentine's cards



Even grandpa helped punch out some hearts!

 

Playing with grandpa

 

So my mom and I had a disagreement here. She thought the color in the middle was more of a green and I thought it was a cream/beige color. And my dad has obviously been spending too much time with my mom because he was calling it green too! Am I crazy?



Hanging out with grandpa



Here are the flowers Vere and Cole sent me on Valentine's Day :)


So Cole is finally back to normal after 3+ weeks of waking up in the middle of the night and crying for about an hour each time he woke up. I was starting to wonder if I would ever see the old Cole again. But after 2 weeks of being sick and 2 new teeth later, he's back!

9 months...

Cole and I are finally better after being sick for two weeks. It was a busy two weeks though despite being sick. Cole had his 9 month well check. He was sick at the time but otherwise healthy. He was 30 inches long (92%) and 22 lbs. 12 oz. (84%). Although he was kicking and screaming and trying to climb off the scale so I'm not sure how accurate the reading was. I can't believe Cole is 9 months already! He has really developed so much lately. He's starting to stand for 5-10 seconds by himself and even tries taking a step or two. It's funny because it's like he thinks he can walk but then his legs don't do what they're supposed to do and he falls forward. He's working at it very hard though. He is also getting super vocal and will just talk away to himself. Sometimes when he's playing with his toys, he'll suddenly start laughing to himself. Like he just thought of something really funny. It's so cool to see him do these things. He also has his 3rd tooth coming in on top.

Cole talking to himself (he was sick too)

Today, Cole saw his bag that I always put his toys and snacks in when we leave the house. It was sitting on a chair in the dining room. He grabbed the bag down to the floor and rummaged through it until he found a package of rice rusks. And then he just sat there and cried until I came over and opened it for him. It was just after breakfast but I figured since I was eating a piece of Dove chocolate after breakfast, he could have a snack too. I guess snacking is hereditary.

Cole has also been doing this new thing lately when he doesn't want to go in the carseat, stroller, highchair or lay on the changing table. He straightens his legs, arches his back and turns. And he is a strong little guy! Which makes it almost impossible to get him into a sitting position when he does this. I figured out that if I wait until he gets a little tired out, I can get him to sit down. But sometimes I have to stand in the parking lot and wait for a while before we can leave. Not sure where he gets that stubborness from... but he has no idea who he's messing with :)

I also recently joined a moms group to meet other moms and so Cole could make some friends. We went to our first meet up at the New Children's Museum downtown. I think some of the moms cancelled last minute or showed up late because I only met/found 2 other moms in the group. They had a toddler time where kids could paint, bang on drums or play with building blocks. Cole was totally overwhelmed and cried while clinging to my neck when I tried to get him to play with anything. I guess he's not used to being around so many loud babies/kids. On Monday we went to the Encinitas Community Center to see this one-man kids band called Hoolabaloo play. Cole was still pretty clingy at first but warmed up by the end and managed to crack a few smiles. He still didn't let me put him down though. It's funny to see how much bigger Cole is than other older baby boys.

The scene at the Hoolabaloo concert

I guess Cole is going through a stage right now (or I should probably say I hope). He is just super clingy and doesn't want me to leave him. I think he's noticed that every time he starts to play by himself I suddenly disappear to do a quick load of laundry, get something to eat or go to the bathroom. Now, he doesn't want me to leave the room. As soon as it seems like I'm walking away, panic sets in... poor guy.

So Cole has been putting anything and everything in his mouth. Here are some examples of things I've fished out of Cole's mouth in the last couple weeks.  

• Pieces of magazine (twice)
• A mouthful of fuzz from pillows we have on the couch
• A piece of a cardboard box (no idea)
• Dead grass
• A wood chip
• Leaves
• A piece of a baby wipe



Eating a leaf



The wood chip...

Here are some other pics from the last few weeks...



Trying to take off his new/first pair of shoes...guess he doesn't like things on his feet.



Snack time at the park!



The swing of course!

  

Dare devil - he is seriously crazy!



Tutu visit!



Playing peek-a-boo with Lucy

more peek-a-boo!