Vacay Pics from Huntington Beach and L.A.

Walking along in Malibu

Such a good little guy at the beach!

A great view from the top before walking down to the beach

Connor's 1st L.A. Kings ice hockey game

Aquarium of the Pacific

He LOVED the little fish... which weren't even part of the exhibit, really

Walking to Huntington Beach from the condo

Beach bum

This is the only family pic I got the entire time!  boo!

23 Weeks in Southern Cal

Well, we celebrated me hitting the 23 weeks marker with a bang ... literally!  We are in the LA and Huntington Beach area visiting DH's parents, and unless you've been completely shielded from the news, you know there was an earthquake near here yesterday!  We didn't feel the first 7.2 one because we were driving in the car from LA to the beach, but last night at 6 AM our time, we were shaken awake by an aftershock!  It only lasted a couple of seconds, and probably only woke us up because there is so much "rattley" stuff in the condo, but we felt it just the same.  Of course, this is just a little nothing to DH since he grew up here, but I've been wanting to experience a small earthquake forever ... especially since I missed the one that hit Louisville a couple of years ago!  (I'm a very heavy sleeper!)

In other news, I've never once seen it rain while we were in California, and it's of course raining today in Huntington Beach.  We're heading to the aquarium with Connor today and then the nexct 3 days look like they will be perfect beach days!  Yay!

Anyway.... just wanted to give a little update.... new belly pic when I return home next week!  Happy late Easter!

Winding Down

It has been a fun and eventful 2 weeks here in Cali, but our trip is about to wrap up! I'm pretty bummed that the trip is over.... but I'm really looking forward to getting back home and back into our routine!

There are so many things we are looking forward to when we get home, including Connor starting preschool, our vacation to Ft. Myers for Labor Day, my friend Bethany's wedding, etc... Yippie!

Here are a couple of pics from our trip... but I'll will post a link to my flickr album in the next week or so!

Also, I have been reading a few fellow blogger posts about the use of Latisse to stimulate lash and possibly brow growth! My mother-in-law was nice enough to purchase me a tiny bottle and I've been using it for about 2 weeks now. I apply 1-2 drops to a little eyeliner brush (that I never used anyway) just before bed! I'll keep you updated as to any results. I have NEVER had a great set of lashes ... and I'm constantly over-plucking my brows since I stopped getting them waxed ... sooooo.... I'm crossing my fingers for a miracle here.

AND - before I end up with a TON of comments about it .... I KNOW there can be side-effects and it's a chance I'm willing to take! If a possible side-effect was blindness, I would not take that risk. However, slight redness or skin irritation, etc... is not enough to scare me from trying. I've noticed possibly a bit of redness JUST along the lash line.... but I'm also at the beach and in the sun a lot right now, so it will be interesting to see if anything changes when I get home.

Speaking of being in the sun.... I have suffered from what is called Polymorphic Light Disorder (PMLD) since I was a young teen. I've been researching prevention and solutions to this annoying sun rash for years and finally made some, what I feel like are, breakthroughs! Check back tonight or tomorrow for findings if you are the 1 out of 10 people who suffer from this!!

Inspiration at the Beach

I skipped my weekly fitness post on Monday since we are already in California, which was what I was working toward. Anyway, we have now been here a week and I'm happy to report that, with the help and support of my sister who has a running background, I have walked/ jogged along the beach five of the last seven days! Woo hoo! I already feel myself getting stronger and able to run longer distances (which isn't really saying much) so I plan on running every day for the remainder of my vacation in Cali! My goal is to be able to run 2 miles easily when I get back home. Of course, here, I get to run outside and by the beach... at home it's really too hot to run outside, so I'll be hitting the gym... but 2 miles just the same.

It dawned on me a couple of days ago the lifestyle differences among stay-at-home moms (and others) who live in southern California and those who live, well, pretty much everywhere else! This area is filled with flat-stomached mommies, fit and toned retirees, and young six-packed co-eds. So what's the deal? Whether it's walking a dog, walking your kid, or walking to walk... people here are really on the move. Is it the gorgeous weather and proximity of the beach? Me think YES! Here is an example of the difference in our day here and at home:

While we're at home: we wake up, drive to the gym, I work-out inside while Connor plays in the playroom, we drive home, get ready, drive to the pool, drive home, put Connor down for a nap....

While we're here: we wake up, walk to the beach and walk/ run for about an hour, walk back home and back out to the beach with Connor, walk back home, put Connor down for a nap...

Notice the difference?

It's so cool living within walking distance of everything you need... especially when it creates and more active and healthy lifestyle! I have no doubt that if I lived in a place like Huntington Beach (which is where we are right now) I could be as fit (and tanned) as I wanted with almost no additional effort!

Why? It's just so easy! It's not like there aren't bad foods and bars here; coffee and donut shops, fast food, and margaritas. But, people around here seem to have a bit more of a grip on their bodies and how to live how they want to live. No excuses ... not the "mommy" excuse, not the "I work at a desk" excuse, etc... No, not everyone is thin and fit... but the ratio is much different here than in many areas of the country ... especially the south and midwest.

Why? I truly believe it's just easier when you live in a more moderate climate! A lot of my excuses for not working out just don't even exist in this climate: snow, cold, humidity, allergens, rain, super-hot, etc... it just doesn't happen here!

So..... what to do...

Shall we all pack up and move to Sunny C.A.?

Probably not.

But, what you can learn from this lifestyle is to not to be over-looked!

Huntington Beach!

We are here and having fun! Connor misses his daddy, but was SUCH a great little boy on the plane yesterday (like so good it was scary!) and is pretty much back on his schedule already! We are so lucky and have such an amazing little boy!

A few quick pictures for now!

Also, DON'T FORGET!!! Click HERE to enter my giveaway! You only have until Friday to enter!